Dennis Gaviola

Travelers enter the upgraded Integrated Passenger Terminal Building of the Port of Batangas in Batangas City, on June 14, 2022. The 15,000 sqm port features fully air-conditioned lounges and PWD-friendly facilities for a more convenient experience for passengers. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Dennis Datu

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Student Earl Meran was shocked when he purchased a FastCat ferry ticket for his trip home to Oriental Mindoro after discovering that the fare had risen to ₱650, compared to ₱542 just last week when he traveled to Batangas.Meran had originally planned to buy an air-conditioned accommodation ticket, but its price had already climbed to ₱715. He was also unable to avail of the student discount after forgetting his school ID.“Mahirap sa akin, bilang isang estudyante wala naman po ako sariling income syempre nagulat ako, wala naman po ako choice kungdi bayaran,” Meran said.FastCat, owned by Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation, is among the first shipping lines to raise ferry fares due to the surge in fuel prices triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.Starlite Ferries also announced that starting March 10, it will increase passenger fares and cargo rates by 25 percent.Meanwhile, Montenegro Shipping Lines will implement a 10 to 25 percent fare increase across all its routes nationwide beginning March 23.The fare hikes add to the expenses of passengers planning to travel back to their provinces during the upcoming Holy Week, especially after the Batangas Port terminal fee was doubled in January from ₱30 to ₱60.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/6/diesel-seen-rising-p15-per-liter-gasoline-p7-next-week-as-mideast-conflict-continues-1309">READ: Diesel seen rising P18 per liter, gasoline P8 next week as Mideast conflict continues</a></div>The Batangas–Calapan route of Montenegro Shipping Lines will increase to ₱600, up from the previous ₱528.“Mahihirapan na ho umuwi ang mga tao ngayon lalo na holy week,” said passenger Roldan Natal.“Dati po noon pandemic nagtaas na sila tapos hindi na pandemic hindi naman sila nagbaba ng pamasahe tapos ngayon mataas na ulit,” he added.Rates for rolling cargoes, including vehicles, will also increase.“Ang mga anak ko ay gustong tumawid ay hindi muna raw matawid,” said Charity Andal, a resident of Calapan City.According to Christopher Pastrana, chairman of the Philippine Interisland Shipping Association (PISA), member companies are planning to raise fares by 20 to 30 percent because they can no longer sustain the high fuel prices from their suppliers.He said fuel prices have surged significantly since tensions erupted in the Middle East.<div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/8/fuel-supply-runs-low-in-some-qc-gas-stations-amid-rush-before-oil-price-hike-2013">READ: Fuel supply runs low in some QC gas stations amid rush before oil price hike</a></div>“Sa Northern Samar noong nakaraang linggo, ang bili lang namin bago sumiklab ang kaguluhan sa Middle East ... is around P53. Noong isang araw, P80 na. Kahapon may naglabas ng memo na mag-P90 na po sila. Ang masaklap ho, buti sana kung yung presyo lang eh, pinag-uusapan natin yung ibang lugar ayaw na magbenta kasi wala daw silang supply,” Pastrana said.Pastrana suggested that the government temporarily remove <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/8/-napapanahon-na-ito-palace-wants-lower-fuel-excise-tax-1524">the excise tax on fuel</a> and reduce other taxes and charges imposed on shipping companies.“Tumulong din po ang ating government agnecies na huwag munang maningil ng kanilang sobrang taas na charges na nakakadagdag sa gastos, saka ho siguro pati yung corporate income tax medyo bawas-bawasan muna bigyan muna tayo ng reprieve gaya ho ng ginawa nila noon pandemic,” he said.He stressed that government intervention is crucial, noting that about 90 percent of goods in the country are transported by ships.“Nangyayari na po ang sigalot sa Middle East, dapat gawin na po lalo na ang shipping because 90 percent of goods are being transported by ships. So dapat talaga, para hindi maapektuhan yung mangangalakal ng mga agricultural products, ang lahat ng mga produktong itinatawid sa iba-ibang isla, pagkain, hindi na ho dapat pag-aralan, gawin na natin,” Pastrana added.Some shipping lines are also studying the possibility of reducing the number of ferry trips to conserve fuel, particularly when passenger demand is low.

FastCat, owned by Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation, is among the first shipping lines to raise ferry fares due to the surge in fuel prices triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.

FastCat, owned by Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation, is among the first shipping lines to raise ferry fares due to the surge in fuel prices triggered by the conflict in the Middle East.

Ferry operators raise fares as fuel prices spike over Middle East tensions

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Business

Ferry operators raise fares as fuel prices spike over Middle East tensions

Dennis Datu,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 09, 2026 12:01 AM PHT

Read More:

excise tax

fuel

fare

price

Middle East

conflict

FastCat

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.