Effective last Monday, March 16, 2026, Regina Shipping Lines implemented a 20-percent increase in passenger and cargo rates on its six roll-on, roll-off ships plying the Tabaco-San Andres and vice versa routes.
In a notice on its social media page, RSL management said that as a result of the spiraling cost of gasoline and diesel in the entire world due to the war in the Middle East, their ferry operations have been affected.
It said that the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has already approved the rate increases.
As a result, the passage rates aboard the RSL ships are as follows: Ordinary (regular), P322 to P386 per passenger; Ordinary (discounted), P257 to P308; Ordinary (senior), P230 to P276; Ordinary (child), P161 to P193; Aircon (regular), P420 to P504; Aircon (discounted), P336 to P403; Aircon (senior), P300 to P360; and Aircon (child), P210 to P252.
For vehicles without load, here are the adjusted rates: Motorcycles below 400cc, P490 to P588; Motorcycles above 400cc, P1,183 to P1,420; Motorcycle with side car, P980 to P1,176; Multicab and small cars, P2,366 to P2,839; Sedans and SUVs, P2,730 to P3,276; L300 delivery vans, P2,730 to P3,276; and Passenger jeep, P2,730 to P3,273.
Rolling cargoes will be assessed anywhere between P3,271 to as much as P11,760 each depending on the type of rolling cargo and whether it is fully loaded or not.
With the company imposing a similar 20% increase in the rates for shipping various goods and other loose cargo, it is expected that this would trigger a proportional hike in the prices of basic commodities in the local markets.
Meanwhile, a representative of Cardinal Shipping Lines, which plies the Virac-Tabaco-Virac route, said it has yet to file a petition for higher rates with MARINA.