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The Philippine Ports Authority is temporarily easing accreditation and permit requirements for bunkering services in light of constraints in fuel supply owing to the Middle East conflict
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The move under PPA Administrative Order No. 004-2026 aims to ensure the continuous and timely delivery of fuel to vessels calling at PPA ports, and provide a temporary and responsive mechanism to address fuel supply constraints
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Entities not fully accredited and without a valid PTO may be authorized to conduct bunkering services on an interim basis through the issuance of an authority to transact
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is temporarily easing accreditation and permit to operate (PTO) requirements for bunkering services in light of constraints in fuel supply resulting from the Middle East conflict.
The move under PPA Administrative Order (AO) No. 004-2026 aims to ensure the continuous and timely delivery of fuel to vessels calling at PPA ports, and provide a temporary and responsive mechanism to address fuel supply constraints. It also aims to still maintain regulatory oversight while allowing operational flexibility under exceptional circumstances.
“Fuel supply is a critical component of port operations, directly affecting vessel turnaround time, shipping schedules, and overall logistics efficiency. Recent developments in the Middle East, coupled with volatility in global fuel markets, have resulted in constraints in the availability and timely delivery of marine fuel to vessels calling at PPA ports,” AO No. 004-2026 stated.
PPA under AO No. 004-2026, which took effect upon its publication on March 28, adopts a temporary relaxation of accreditation and PTO requirements through the issuance instead of an authority to transact (ATT).
PPA AO No. 09-2020 (revised guidelines on the issuance of PTO for the provision of ancillary services) authorizes the ports authority to issue a temporary or conditional authority, in the form of an ATT in order to address operational requirements under exceptional circumstances.
Under the new AO, entities not fully accredited and without a valid PTO may be authorized to conduct bunkering services on an interim basis through the issuance of an ATT, allowing multiple applications within a period not exceeding six months.
AO No. 004-2026 applies to all entities engaged, or intending to engage, in bunkering services within ports under PPA’s jurisdiction.
Applicants for ATT should submit a letter of intent pursuant to PPA AO No. 09-2020, and an endorsement from the concerned shipping line or vessel operator, confirming engagement of the applicant.
The ATT will be valid only for bunkering services within the approved period and scope, and should not be construed as a substitute for full accreditation or a PTO. It is also non-transferable, and revocable at any time by PPA, without prejudice to the imposition of applicable sanctions, AO No. 004-2026 noted.
All entities operating under an ATT should also comply with all applicable PPA rules and regulations, observe existing safety, environmental, and operational standards, coordinate with the concerned PPA port management office prior to each bunkering activity, and submit reports and other documentation as may be required by the PPA.
AO No. 004-2026 noted that the issuance of ATT is temporary and exceptional in nature and should be implemented only during periods of fuel supply constraints or operational exigencies.
PPA reserves the right to suspend or withdraw this mechanism upon determination that normal conditions have been restored, AO No. 004-2026 said. – Roumina Pablo
READ: Domestic sea cargo carriers to impose bunker fuel surcharge
