The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will implement a temporary relaxation of sailing schedules for cargo and passenger vessels during the Christmas and New Year holidays to manage the anticipated surge of travelers at ports nationwide.

The relaxation period will run from December 20 to January 4, allowing vessels to depart ahead of their scheduled time once they reach maximum passenger capacity. The measure is intended to speed up vessel turnaround times and ease congestion at major ports during the long holiday season.

MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan clarified, however, that the policy will apply only to routes experiencing heavy passenger demand. Routes that are not fully booked will continue to follow their published sailing schedules to prevent confusion among travelers.

“The relaxation will not apply to routes that are not fully booked. We need to follow the published schedules so passengers are not confused,” Malaluan said.

Addressing concerns about the limited number of operating vessels, Malaluan explained that increasing the fleet solely for peak seasons is not sustainable. She noted that the shipping industry is highly capital-intensive, making it impractical to acquire additional vessels that would not be viable year-round.

“Shipping is highly capital-intensive. You cannot just buy vessels for peak season. Operations are usually adjusted based on demand throughout the year,” she said, adding that MARINA’s policy emphasizes increasing both sailing frequency and vessel capacity when demand rises.

Meanwhile, MARINA reiterated the rights of maritime passengers, particularly on the issue of free accommodation. The agency clarified that passengers stranded due to natural calamities are not covered by mandatory accommodation provisions. However, if a voyage is canceled because of operational issues or negligence on the part of the ship owner or operator, the company is required to provide safe and proper accommodation for affected passengers.

While the provision of food and beverages during delays remains at the discretion of shipping companies, MARINA noted that many operators already extend basic assistance to passengers while they wait at ports.

As the holiday season approaches, MARINA urged the public to plan their trips in advance, arrive early at ports, and comply with all maritime regulations to ensure smooth and safe travel.