Nagtaas Na Rin! Cebu Ferry Operators Cut Routes, Slap Fuel Surcharges as Oil Crisis Bites
The oil crisis isn't just hitting your gas tank — it's now slamming the shipping industry too. Ferry operators across Cebu have started canceling routes and hiking fares after fuel costs surged by a staggering 40 percent, making several routes financially unviable.
OceanJet has already pulled the plug on key trips, including the 10 a.m. Cebu-Palompon, Leyte route and the 6:45 p.m. Cebu-Getafe, Bohol service. Gabisan Shipping Lines, meanwhile, shifted to a limited weekly schedule between Cebu and Talibon, Bohol, effective March 9. Other operators like Super Shuttle Ferry imposed a 20 percent fare hike on both passenger and cargo rates.
Cokaliong Shipping Lines released updated fares for its Cebu-Surigao City route — economy class now costs P1,584, tourist class is P1,872, and suite rooms for three go up to P8,208. Discounted rates for students, seniors, and PWDs were also adjusted, though they remain below regular pricing.
Roble Shipping Lines, Star Philippines Shipping Lines, FastCat, and Montenegro Shipping Lines have all followed suit with temporary fuel surcharges covering everything from passenger tickets to vehicle freight. Montenegro updated charges for motorcycles all the way up to heavy equipment on its Dumaguete-Dapitan-Siquijor routes.
Industry officials are warning travelers to brace for more schedule disruptions in the coming weeks as global oil prices remain volatile due to the Middle East conflict that shut down the Strait of Hormuz. For island-hopping Filipinos, the message is clear: plan ahead and budget more. (Source: Daily Tribune)
