Shipping group seeks port fee cuts amid fuel price hike

CEBU CITY—The country’s largest shipping organization is urging Transportation Secretary and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Chair Giovanni Lopez to grant nationwide port fee discounts to help the industry cope with rising diesel prices amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

In a letter dated April 20, the Philippine Coastwise Shipping Association Inc. (PCSA), in a letter addressed to Lopez dated April 20, asked the PPA to adopt measures similar to those of the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs.

CPA measures

In Memorandum Circular No. 04, Series of 2026, the CPA extended a 40-percent discount on the collection of berthing and anchorage fees for domestic vessels within its territorial jurisdiction.

These also include the suspension of RoRo wharfage fees for cargo vehicles carrying purely agricultural products starting April 18. Covered vehicles include:

• 6-wheelers (4,800–7,500 kilos)
• 6-wheelers, prime movers without trailer (7,600–15,000 kilos)
• 8-wheelers, tank lorries, and 10-wheelers (20,000–25,000 kilos)
• 10-wheelers, prime movers with empty or loaded trailers (26,000 kilos and above)

The CPA also suspended the collection of terminal fees in all passenger terminal buildings it owns and operates, as well as fees for single-entry passes, watering permits, bunkering permits, and other permits approved by the Harbor Control Center (HCC).

Call for action

“The immediate reduction of fees demonstrates a clear recognition of the operational and financial pressures currently faced by the domestic shipping industry,” the PCSA said in its letter.

“Such responsiveness not only provides much-needed relief to stakeholders but also reflects a strong commitment to maintaining the stability of the maritime sector during these challenging times,” it added.

The group urged the PPA to take similar action, saying a parallel initiative would significantly amplify the positive impact and provide more comprehensive relief nationwide.

“We likewise acknowledge the Department of Transportation’s role in facilitating an environment where stakeholders’ concerns are heard and acted upon with urgency and prudence,” the group said.

Jurisdiction

Both the PPA and CPA are government-owned and controlled corporations under the Department of Transportation.

The CPA’s jurisdiction covers Cebu, including Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City, and the agency operates independently of the PPA.

The PPA, meanwhile, has broader oversight of ports nationwide.

The PCSA is the country’s largest shipping organization, composed of about 50 Filipino shipowners operating around 800 vessels on short- and medium-haul routes. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma