Philippine ferry operators announce temporary fare increases amid fuel surcharge

Effective immediately, multiple Philippine ferry operators are implementing temporary fare increases and fuel surcharges across passenger and rolling cargo (RoRo) services.

These adjustments are a direct operational response to the recent spike in global marine fuel costs, driven by ongoing geopolitical volatility. All fare modifications are being implemented under the fuel contingency guidelines authorized by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), which permits operators to adjust rates temporarily to ensure the continuity of inter-island supply chains and public transport.

Nature of the Adjustments

Depending on the operator and the specific route, passengers and freight forwarders can expect to see changes applied in one of three ways:

1. Percentage-Based Surcharges: An additional fee (e.g., 10% to 20%) added to the original ticket price.
2. Flat-Rate Fuel Fees: A fixed amount added per passenger or per vehicle classification.
3. Base Fare Revisions: An outright increase in the standard ticket or freight cost.

Affected Ferry Operators

The following shipping lines have officially enacted fare adjustments or fuel surcharges as of early March 2026:

• ALD Sea Transport
• Atienza Interisland Ferries
• Aznar Shipping Corporation / EB Aznar Shipping Lines
• Cokaliong Shipping Lines
• Edgel Ferry Express
• FastCat (Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation)
• Gabisan Shipping Lines
• Island Water (Shogun Ships Co., Inc.)
• Lite Shipping Corporation
• Medallion Transport Inc.
• Montenegro Shipping Lines Inc.
• Roble Shipping Inc.
• SeaCat by Grand Ferries
• Star Philippines Shipping Lines Inc.
• Starhorse Shipping Lines, Inc.
• Starlite Ferries Inc.
• Syvel Company
• Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, Inc.

Impact on Cargo and Logistics

Beyond passenger travel, these rate increases directly affect freight forwarding and rolling cargo. Supply chain managers, local distributors, and logistics companies utilizing the RORO network should immediately review the updated freight matrices with their respective partner lines, as the cost of transporting consumer goods between Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will invariably rise.

Passenger & Client Guidelines

Operators emphasize that these surcharges are temporary floating rates; they will be reviewed and potentially lifted once global crude oil prices stabilize.

To ensure transparency, MARINA requires all shipping lines to clearly post their updated fare matrices at their terminals and ticketing booths. Travelers and cargo clients are strongly advised to verify current pricing directly with their chosen operator’s ticketing office or official social media channels prior to travel to avoid port-side delays.