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The Maritime Industry Authority Board approved regulatory relief and support measures to cushion the impacts of rising global fuel prices on domestic shipping
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All domestic shipowners and operators with valid and subsisting authority to operate and duly registered vessels under MARINA will be eligible to avail of a 75% discount on selected regulatory fees
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The annual tonnage fee has been reduced to P1 per gross tonnage for Philippine-registered vessels above 15 gross tonnage – regardless of vessel age and time of payment – for calendar year 2025, payable in 2026
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MARINA also temporarily suspended the implementation of MC No. GC-2026-01, which provides the authority’s new omnibus schedule of fees and charges and was issued late in January
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Board approved regulatory relief and support measures to cushion the impacts of rising global fuel prices on domestic shipping.
The measures approved by the MARINA Board during its 320th regular meeting on April 16 is in line with Executive Order (EO) No. 110, which declared a state of national energy emergency and directed concerned government agencies to implement necessary response measures to mitigate the effects of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
Under Memorandum Circular (MC) No. DS 2026-02 signed on April 16, all domestic shipowners and operators with valid and subsisting authority to operate and duly registered vessels under MARINA will be eligible to avail of a 75% discount on selected regulatory fees.
The MC takes effect on April 20 and will remain valid for one year or for the duration of the state of national energy emergency, unless earlier lifted or amended.
Covered are regulatory fees for Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC), provisional authorities and special permits, ship safety certificates (including ship survey and inspection), vessel registration and licensing, accreditation renewals, and other ship-related certificates issued by MARINA.
MC No. DS-2026-02 also reduces the annual tonnage fee to P1 per gross tonnage for Philippine-registered vessels above 15 gross tonnage–regardless of vessel age and time of payment–for calendar year 2025, payable in 2026.
Any excess amount paid for the ATF due in 2026 prior to the effectivity of the MC will be credited against the ATF due in 2027.
Vessels 15 gross tonnage and below are fully exempted from the ATF for the same period.
The relief measures provided under MC No. DS-2026–02 does not apply to penalties, surcharges, fines, or other administrative sanctions imposed for violations of existing laws, rules, and regulations, which will remain enforceable. Payment of such penalties, surcharges, fines, or administrative sanctions may be deferred and be paid within one year from the lifting of the state of national energy emergency.
Aside from these relief measures, MARINA through MARINA Advisory (MA) No. 2026-19 temporarily suspended the implementation of MC No. GC-2026-01, which provides the authority’s new omnibus schedule of fees and charges and was issued late in January.
READ: New MARINA fees, charges updated after a decade
During the period of suspension, the collection of fees and charges by MARINA will be governed by the immediately preceding applicable MARINA issuances, rules, and regulations, including existing schedules of fees that remain valid and effective prior to the issuance of MC No. GS-2026-01.
MARINA in a statement said the relief measures aim to ease the financial burden on shipping companies amid rising fuel costs, while ensuring the continued movement of passengers and essential goods across the country.
MARINA administrator Sonia Malaluan in a press release underscored the urgency and human impact behind the policy, noting that the intervention is meant to support both the industry and the riding public.
MARINA said it will monitor implementation and may modify, extend, or terminate the measures depending on prevailing conditions.
The MARINA Board consists of representatives from the Office of the President, Department of Transportation, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Migrant Workers, Development Bank of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Ports Authority and Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.
MARINA also earlier allowed domestic shipping lines to increase their passenger and cargo rates by a maximum of 40%, while transport of agricultural products and basic/critical commodities will continue to be given priority and remain subject to the 20% limit for rate adjustment.
Passenger and cargo rates in the domestic shipping industry have been deregulated since 2004 through Republic Act No. 9295 (Domestic Shipping Development Act of 2004), but the law allows MARINA to intervene in order to protect public interest.
Shipping companies/operators are also allowed to reduce or limit trips of ships, consolidating passengers and cargo volume to optimize load capacity of ships, subject to MARINA’s approval.— Roumina Pablo
