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The Maritime Industry Authority has issued a relaxation order on shipping operators to help manage greater passenger and cargo volume during the Holy Week
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The order provides flexibility in sailing schedules, increased trip frequencies, and other operational adjustments for qualified domestic shipping companies
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It is meant to reduce delays, ease port congestion, and ensure that passengers reach their destinations safely and on time, according to MARINA administrator Sonia Malaluan
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The order allows operators to depart even before the scheduled departure time once maximum passenger or cargo capacity is reached
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has issued a relaxation order on shipping operators to help manage greater passenger and cargo volume during the busy Holy Week.
The order, effective only during the Holy Week period, provides flexibility in sailing schedules, increased trip frequencies, and other operational adjustments for qualified domestic shipping companies. It applies to shipping operators with valid Certificates of Public Convenience, provisional authority, or special permit, operating on affected routes.
“This proactive measure is meant to reduce delays, ease port congestion, and ensure that our passengers can reach their destinations safely and on time,” MARINA administrator Sonia Malaluan said in a statement.
“As always, the safety and welfare of the riding public remain our top priority,” she added.
The relaxation order allows operators to depart once maximum passenger or cargo capacity is reached, even before the scheduled departure time. Ships may also return immediately to congested ports after disembarking, with clearance from the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Ports Authority, and/or Cebu Port Authority.
Additionally, the “first-come, first-serve” policy will be enforced to ensure fair service despite high demand.
In cases where service remains insufficient, other qualified operators may be authorized to deploy additional vessels to ease congestion. Any changes to sailing schedules are, however, subject to MARINA’s confirmation and may be modified or canceled if needed.
To avoid port bottlenecks, affected ships are also directed to observe a reasonable “port time stay,” ensuring smooth berthing operations.
Relatedly, MARINA earlier launched its intensified monitoring of passenger vessels’ compliance with safety rules and regulations ahead of the expected influx of passengers during the Holy Week.
The random inspection of passenger vessels will be conducted from April 1-12 on various routes, mostly in the nautical highway, where there is heavy passenger traffic especially during peak travel seasons.
As of April 11, MARINA said it has conducted compliance inspections on 103 passenger ships, with 10 ships (9.7%) temporarily suspended due to safety-related deficiencies; six of which have already been cleared after verification of required corrective actions.
The remaining four vessels will remain suspended until all deficiencies have been corrected and verified by MARINA inspectors. While MARINA did not provide the names of the shipping lines operating the vessels, it said their routes are the following: Matnog, Bicol – Allen, Samar; Ubay, Bohol – Hilongos Port, Leyte; Matnog, Bicol – Allen, Samar; Legazpi City to Rapu-Rapu.
The intensified monitoring program is in addition to the regular annual inspection of vessels and is an initiative to ensure that passenger ships maintain compliance to safety rules and regulations and avoid possible disruptions during the peak season.
READ: MARINA monitors ships’ safety compliance ahead of Lent
