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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Visayas shipping firms feel brunt of soaring oil prices

Visayas shipping firms feel brunt of soaring oil prices

Fake hike, trip cancellations imposed

Published Mar 7, 2026 04:24 pm
A seven-year-old girl displaced by Israeli airstrikes in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburbs, writes in a notebook while wrapped in a blanket in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, March 6, 2026. (AP)
A seven-year-old girl displaced by Israeli airstrikes in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburbs, writes in a notebook while wrapped in a blanket in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, March 6, 2026. (AP)
CEBU CITY – Shipping companies operating key inter-island routes in the Visayas have started to feel the impact of soaring fuel prices from the conflict in the Middle East.
To cope with surging fuel prices, Fastcat has implemented fare increase while Oceanjet opted for trip cancellations.
FastCat confirmed that it has implemented an updated fare matrix for passengers and vehicles effective March 6. It said the adjustment was necessary to sustain operations and maintain safety standards amid a surge in global fuel prices.
“While we always strive to keep our services affordable, the recent 40 percent surge in global fuel costs – driven by the ongoing situation in the Middle East – has significantly impacted our operational expenses,” the company said.
FastCat, a major roll-on, roll-off operator in the country, said fare adjustment will help ensure continued vessel maintenance, fleet reliability, and compliance with safety certifications while maintaining its commitment to providing safe and efficient inter-island travel.
Full details of the new fare matrix have yet to be disclosed but Fastcat said the revised rates now apply to both passengers and vehicles across its routes.
OceanJet temporarily cancelled several trips between Cebu and nearby destinations, saying the ongoing fuel crisis is affecting its operations.
The cancellation of trips started March 6 and will end March 20. Cancelled on March 6 were the 10 a.m. Cebu to Palompon trip, 1:30 p.m. Palompon to Cebu trip, and the 6:45 p.m. Cebu to Getafe trip.
Additional cancellations scheduled for March 7 were Getafe to Cebu, 6:30 a.m.; Cebu to Palompon, 10 a.m.; Palompon to Cebu, 1:30 p.m., and Cebu to Getafe, 6:45 p.m.
OceanJet said affected passengers are entitled to a full refund or may reschedule their trips without additional charges.

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