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The Maritime Industry Authority increased to 15% from 10% the maximum allowable increase in passenger and cargo rates that domestic shipping lines may impose as of October 19
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The increase 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 October 13
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This is the fifth time MARINA had adjusted the maximum allowable increase in rates since it first set it to 30% in March
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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
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has increased to 15% from 10% the maximum allowable increase in passenger and cargo rates that domestic shipping lines may impose as of October 19.
The increase 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 October 13, according to MARINA Advisory (MA) No. 2026-61 dated October 19.
“The maximum 15% 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,” states MA No. 2026-61, which took immediately.
This is the fifth 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% in April, lowered it to 30% in May, further rolled down to 20% in June, and then dropped to 10% in July.
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The transport of agricultural products and basic/critical commodities, meanwhile, had reverted last May to freight rates as of February 28, 2026 before the fuel crisis that resulted from the Middle East conflict. 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.
