Several passenger ferry trips connecting Cebu City with parts of Leyte and Bohol have been temporarily suspended after a major shipping operator cited rising fuel costs affecting its operations.
In an advisory, fast ferry operator OceanJet announced the cancellation of selected routes from March 6 to March 20, 2026.
“Attention Jetters! Please be informed that the following trip schedules are cancelled starting tomorrow, March 06, 2026 up until March 20, 2026 due to the ongoing fuel crisis affecting operations,” the company said in its public notice.
The cancelled trips include:
Cebu–Palompon — 10:00 a.m.
Palompon–Cebu — 1:30 p.m.
Cebu–Getafe — 6:45 p.m.
OceanJet did not immediately say whether additional routes could be affected or if normal operations would resume immediately after the suspension period.
The temporary cancellations come as the Philippines braces for possible fuel price increases linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East, which analysts say could disrupt global oil supply.
Earlier, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he is seeking emergency powers from Congress that would allow the government to reduce excise taxes on petroleum products if global crude oil prices surge.
The President said the measure could be implemented if Dubai crude oil prices exceed $80 per barrel, a level seen as a warning threshold for fuel-importing countries such as the Philippines.
Officials have warned that sustained increases in oil prices could trigger a ripple effect across multiple sectors, including transportation, food prices and logistics, as fuel remains a major operational cost.
Transport operators, including shipping companies, are particularly vulnerable to rising fuel costs, which account for a significant portion of their expenses.
Industry observers note that even modest fuel price increases can force operators to adjust schedules, suspend routes or pass on higher costs to passengers through fare adjustments.
Despite the cancellations, the government has assured the public that the country still maintains sufficient petroleum reserves for the coming months, although officials acknowledge the Philippines remains highly dependent on imported oil.
Authorities have also encouraged both the public and private sectors to conserve energy and prepare for possible volatility in global fuel markets while the Middle East situation remains uncertain. (LLP)
