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The Maritime Industry Authority has issued rules for the mandatory use of online ticketing systems by inter-island passenger ships
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MARINA Memorandum Circular No. DS-2026-01 institutionalizes the use of shipping online ticketing system (SOTS) for inter-island passenger ships “to deliver modern, inclusive, and efficient domestic shipping services”
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All domestic shipowners/ship operators operating inter-island passenger ships should implement an SOTS or an SOTS-equivalent system, whether developed in-house, through a third-party service provider, or via subscription to an online booking platform
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MARINA will provide 100% discount on annual tonnage for compliance
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has issued rules for the mandatory use of online ticketing systems by inter-island passenger ships.
MARINA Memorandum Circular (MC) No. DS-2026-01 institutionalizes the use of shipping online ticketing system (SOTS) for inter-island passenger ships “to deliver modern, inclusive, and efficient domestic shipping services.”
The MC, signed on March 18 and effective 15 days after its publication on March 25, aims to promote digital transformation and operational efficiency in the maritime transport passenger sector by requiring the adoption of secure, interoperable, and user-friendly online ticketing platforms.
It also aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and customer service in ticketing operations to prevent overbooking, ticket scalping, and fraudulent transactions.
The implementation of the SOTS is a core initiative under MARINA’s modernization agenda, aligned with its digitalization program and the updated Maritime Industry Development Plan.
An SOTS is a digital system service, whether web-based or application-based, developed and/or operated in-house, by a third-party service provider, or through a combination of both, that enables passengers to electronically book or secure seats, make payments, receive e-tickets, and generate an e-passenger manifest for each voyage.
The SOTS should cover the entire booking and ticketing process and should adhere to the minimum components and requirements stipulated in Annex A of MC No. DS-2026-01.
Under MC No. DS-2026-01, all domestic shipowners/ship operators operating inter-island passenger ships should implement an SOTS or an SOTS-equivalent system, whether developed in-house, through a third-party service provider, or via subscription to an online booking platform.
MARINA administrator Sonia Malaluan earlier said since online systems entail investment costs and some already have invested in their own systems, their thrust is that it “should be a business decision” on whether the shipping operators will continue to use or create their own system, get third party service providers, or subscribe to other ticketing systems.
MC No. DS-2026-01 applies to all domestic shipowners/operators of inter-island passenger ships, including roll-on/roll-off passenger (ROPAX) vessels and fast crafts, and any other passenger ships as may be subsequently designated MARINA.
Exemptions include motorbancas with and without outriggers, recreational boats, service boats, and vessels for company use only and not engaged in the carriage of fare-paying passengers.
The SOTS should also be be capable of generating an official electronic passenger manifest, which, together with the electronic ticket, will serve as the official passenger manifest, and will be accepted as valid without requiring a manual signature pursuant to MARINA MC No. 180 and related issuances, to be provided to the Philippine Coast Guard and other authorized government agencies prior to vessel departure.
MARINA noted that regulation under MC No. DS-2026-01 will be limited to the mandatory adoption, functionality, reliability, accessibility, data protection, and monitoring of the SOTS. Commercial terms and conditions, including pricing structures, promotional fares, voluntary discounts, and bundled service arrangements, will remain deregulated, except for mandatory statutory discounts, which should be system-enabled and automatically applied.
Port authorities may also adopt operational policies requiring passengers to present valid tickets prior to entry into designated terminal areas, consistent with MC No. DS-2026-01 and existing port regulations.
MARINA will assess compliance by conducting random inspections of the shipping companies/owners/operators’ SOTS, subject to the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
Shipowners/operators that have successfully implemented the SOTS and are compliant with the conditions set forth in MC No. DS-2026-01 will be eligible to receive the following incentives, as validated by MARINA:
● Full compliance within 12 months from the MC’s effectivity – 100% discount on annual tonnage fee (ATF) for the succeeding three consecutive years upon validation of compliance.
● Full compliance within 18 months – 100% discount on ATF for the succeeding two consecutive years upon validation of compliance.
● Full compliance within 24 months – 100% discount on ATF for the succeeding year upon validation of compliance.
After the availment of the 100% discount, MARINA may assess any innovation in the system that improve safety and/or efficiency and convenience of the riding public, and may grant up to 20% ATF discount for the succeeding two consecutive years, subject to validation of compliance and continued use of the system.
Within 30 days from the effectivity of MC No. DS-2026-01, all covered shipowners/operators should submit to MARINA a readiness report indicating their current SOTS implementation status, supported by documentary or system evidence, as applicable.
A pilot implementation will be undertaken in selected ports to validate system readiness prior to full rollout.
Implementation of the SOTS will be mandatory for ports identified under Annex B of MC No. DS-2026-01 after two years from its effectivity, and will be mandatory for ports not listed under Annex B after four years from effectivity.
Implementation of the SOTS for new operators will be mandatory after two years from the issuance of their Certificate of Public Convenience.
