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The Maritime Industry Authority further lowered to 20% from 30% the maximum allowable increase in passenger and cargo rates that domestic shipping lines may impose
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The lowering follows the latest downward adjustment of fuel costs per Department of Energy Oil Monitor Advisories and in line with the directive of the Department of Transportation on June 4
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The transport of agricultural products and basic/critical commodities will continue to be given priority and revert to freight rates as of February 28, 2026, before the fuel crisis
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) further lowered to 20% from 30% the maximum allowable increase in passenger and cargo rates that domestic shipping lines may impose.
The decrease follows the latest downward adjustment of fuel costs per Department of Energy Oil Monitor Advisories and in line with the directive of the Department of Transportation on June 4, according to MARINA Advisory (MA) No. 2026-33 dated June 8.
“The maximum 20% shall be based on the published rate indicated in the Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) of the domestic shipping companies and operators as of 28 February 2026,” MA No. 2026-33 said.
This is the third time MARINA had adjusted the maximum allowable increase in rates since it first set it to 30% through MA No. 2026-15 in March. The authority then raised it to 40% through MA No. 2026-17 in April, and lowered it to 30% through MA No. 2026-23 in May.
READ: MARINA rolls back cap for passenger, cargo rates hike to 30%
As in MA No. 2026-23, the transport of agricultural products and basic/critical commodities will continue to be given priority and revert to freight rates as of February 28, 2026 before the fuel crisis. Prior to this, MARINA had put a 20% limit for rate adjustment for agricultural products.
The setting of maximum allowable increase in passenger and cargo rates is part of the maritime authority’s supplemental contingency measures to address the impact of the Middle East conflict on the maritime industry.
Under MA No. 2026-15, should global fuel prices decrease, operators are mandated to implement a corresponding downward rate adjustment.
Similar to increases, the price decrease must be posted or published and will take effect three calendar days following the notification.
MARINA earlier said it will conduct regular monitoring of freight and passage rates to ensure compliance.
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.
MARINA administrator Sonia Malaluan earlier said the measure reflects the agency’s “commitment to balance the viability of our shipping industry with the protection of the Filipino commuting and shipping public.”
She added: “Amid global uncertainties, we are ensuring that rate adjustments remain fair, transparent, and within reasonable limits. At the same time, we want to assure the public that these adjustments are not permanent — when global fuel prices go down, corresponding fare reductions will be implemented, in line with our policy on mandatory downward adjustments.”
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