FAS MARITIME

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has lowered the fuel surcharge level to Level 13 for the first half of June, a change that will translate to lower flight costs for passengers starting next month. The new rate level takes effect June 1 to 15, dropping from Level 18, the surcharge bracket implemented from May 1 to 15. Under Level 13, fuel surcharges for domestic flights will range from ₱423 to ₱1,237. For international travel, surcharges will fall between ₱1,396.74 and ₱10,385.42, according to the regulator. Fuel surcharges are adjusted periodically based on movements in global jet fuel prices, and are a standard component of total airfare costs. Civil Aeronautics Board #FASMaritime #SeafaringAndShippingStoriesToldBetter #IndustryUpdate

The Port of Rotterdam has completed its first ethanol-methanol bunkering operation for an ocean-going vessel, marking a global milestone in the adoption of low-carbon marine fuels. The dual-fuel containership Eco Levant, operated by Singapore-based X-Press Feeders, received a blend of 90% ISCC EU-certified biomethanol and 10% ISCC EU-certified second-generation ethanol. Delivered separately by barge MTS Experience and blended onboard under controlled conditions, the trial is the first of its kind in Rotterdam and one of the first worldwide. Methanol bunkering is already established here; ethanol use represents a new step in testing sustainable alternatives. Built in 2024, the Eco Levant is designed to run on green methanol and has operated on the new blend since supply. The project, developed with consultancy METHANAVE, gives stakeholders key data on handling alcohol-based fuels commercially. X-Press Feeders, the world’s largest independent feeder carrier, continues testing solutions to cut fleet emissions. Rotterdam, the world’s second-largest bunker hub, supplies about 10 million tonnes of fuel yearly. Following an ammonia pilot in 2025, the port aims to support multiple low-carbon fuels as the industry moves toward decarbonization. X-Press Feeders #FASMaritime #SeafaringAndShippingStoriesToldBetter #IndustryUpdate

WATCH: On May 18, maritime professionals gathered at Manila Prince Hotel for International Day for Women in Maritime, organized by Women in Maritime Philippines and MARINA. Workers, leaders, educators and partners came together to move beyond formal policies and turn equality goals into daily practice. The core message: progress thrives on collaboration, not competition. Talks focused on fair opportunities, leadership pathways, and recognizing women’s vital contributions across operations, management, security and training. Attendees pledged to advance inclusive practices, equal treatment and growth, building an open, fair and strong industry for all. International Maritime Organization Women In Maritime Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA - DOTC) #FASMaritime #SeafaringAndShippingStoriesToldBetter #AtAGlance

LOOK: The region’s brightest young technical and vocational stars are moving one step closer to global competition honors, after the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority–National Capital Region formally crowned its champions at the close of WorldSkills Philippines–NCR 2026. The grand awarding ceremony, held Thursday afternoon at the TESDA Multipurpose Gymnasium in Taguig City, marked the end of a week-long showcase of talent and skill. From May 25 to 29, 120 competitors, supported by 98 industry experts and 27 participating institutions, tested their abilities across fields ranging from construction and manufacturing to information technology, creative arts and personal services. This year’s competition carried the theme “ONE NCR: Skilled, Dynamic, and Future-Ready,” designed to highlight how traditional trades and emerging technologies work together to build a capable workforce. Contestants vied for top honors in more than a dozen specialized categories, including fast-growing fields such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, electric vehicle technology and additive manufacturing, alongside established disciplines like automobile repair, electrical installation, fashion technology and beauty care. Those named as regional champions will now represent the National Capital Region at the upcoming WorldSkills Philippines 2026 National Competition. Success there opens the door to the highest level of the contest: representing the Philippines on the international WorldSkills stage. Regional Director Angelina M. Carreon said the event is about far more than winning medals. “WorldSkills is more than a competition — it is a national platform for excellence, discipline, and transformation,” Carreon said in her closing remarks. Strong partnerships with industry groups ensured all events used equipment and training standards aligned with international benchmarks. That preparation is key, officials said, to making Filipin workers competitive anywhere in the world. For TESDA, the regional contest also fulfills a core mission under Republic Act 7796: to promote skills excellence, build bridges between government and industry, and create clear career paths for the next generation of Filipino professionals. Thursday’s ceremony was not an end, but a starting line. For the young men and women advancing to the national stage, it is the first step toward proving their skills — and their region — belongs among the world’s best. TESDA: Technical Education and Skills Development Authority TESDA NCR More photos: https://lnkd.in/dQ27fY76 #FASMaritime #SeafaringAndShippingStoriesToldBetter #IndustryLookout

EDITORIAL | For some Filipino seafarers, the peso nearing the ₱62:$1 level may initially feel like good news. A weaker peso means bigger peso conversions for dollar earnings and remittances sent home—something deeply felt by families relying on allotments for tuition, bills, loans, and daily expenses. For seafarers especially, this matters greatly, as they are mandated to remit at least 80% of their tax-free income to the Philippines. As reported by Reuters and other financial publications, the peso fell to a historic low of ₱61.75:$1 on May 18, 2026, amid strong demand for the US dollar, elevated oil prices, and growing global uncertainty. The local currency has continued hovering near the ₱62:$1 level in the days that followed. At first glance, the math looks encouraging: $1,000 converts to around ₱62,000 $2,000 converts to around ₱124,000 But behind the stronger conversions is a more worrying reality. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) earlier warned that “a sharp and prolonged oil price shock could trigger spillover effects with the potential broadening of price pressures,” according to published reports covering the central bank’s inflation outlook. In simpler terms, the same global pressures weakening the peso—including rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions affecting shipping and energy supply routes—may also make fuel, transport, electricity, food, and other household expenses more expensive in the Philippines. What families may gain in remittance value today could eventually be offset by a higher cost of living tomorrow. BSP Governor Eli Remolona also said the central bank was considering proactive measures to manage inflation and currency pressures as global risks continue to build. For many seafarers and OFWs, the stronger dollar may provide temporary breathing room. But for Filipino families back home, the real challenge remains the same: making sure rising costs do not outpace the sacrifices sent home from abroad. #FASMaritime #SeafaringAndShippingStoriesToldBetter

LOOK: Thousands of inter-island sea travelers will get fare discounts of up to 195 pesos starting May 25 (Monday), as the Philippine government officially launched a new aid program aimed at shielding passengers and shipping lines from the brunt of soaring global oil prices. Dubbed Lakbay Alalay ng Gobyerno, or the “Layag Program,” the initiative rolled out Monday by order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., bringing the same kind of subsidy system used for land transport to the maritime sector. The government has set aside 200 million pesos for the effort. Senior Undersecretary Mark Steven Pastor of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the program mirrors the agency’s successful Service Contracting Program for buses and jeepneys, designed to keep services running and fares affordable even as operating costs climb. “Rising global oil prices, driven by tensions in the Middle East, have pushed shipping costs to record highs — threatening both affordable fares and the continued operation of routes that connect island communities,” Pastor said during the launch at Batangas Port, a key gateway for travel across the country. Under the program, the government will subsidize part of ticket costs for 11 high-demand, short-distance routes nationwide. Discounts will vary by route, with maximum savings reaching 195 pesos per passenger. For shipping companies, the subsidy ensures they earn enough to maintain regular trips, preventing service cuts or route cancellations that have become common as fuel costs eat into profits. Pastor said DOTr Secretary Jaime “Banoy” Lopez gave clear instructions: protect commuters from price shocks. “Our goal is to keep inter-island connections open, especially for passengers who rely on these routes for work, school and family visits,” Pastor said. Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Sonia Malaluan said the maritime sector has been among the hardest hit by the oil crisis, with several operators scaling back or suspending trips entirely to stay afloat. “Daily passengers bear the biggest burden when fares go up or trips are canceled,” Malaluan said. “Through this program, we want them to know the government, DOTr and MARINA are here to help when they need it most. We hope this eases the load for everyone who travels by sea.” The aid will cover 93 passenger vessels participating in the program, serving an estimated 1.16 million passengers every day over a 12-day implementation period. Officials said the model could be expanded or extended depending on fuel market conditions and demand. Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA - DOTC) Department of Transportation - Philippines More photos: https://lnkd.in/dgtymPXa #FASMaritime #SeafaringAndShippingStoriesToldBetter #IndustryLookout

WATCH: Maritime sector unites at Okada Manila, Parañaque City to launch anti-CSAM campaign! Hosted by ALMA Maritime Group with Carnival Cruise Line. New guidelines: background checks + digital safety training. Violations lead to deportation & lifetime US entry bans. This safeguards our seafarers’ futures & the industry’s good name. ALMA (Association of Licensed Manning Agencies) Maritime Group Carnival Cruise Line Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA - DOTC) Department of Migrant Workers #FASMaritime #SeafaringAndShippingStoriesToldBetter #AtAGlance

NEWS | Three Filipina maritime professionals were recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for helping reshape opportunities for women across maritime leadership, engineering, and public service. Commodore Christine Pauline Bergaño-Diciano, Chief Engr. Elisa D. Chomi, and Rear Admiral Mitzie Silva-Campo received Letters of Commendation during the IMO Gender Equality Award 2026 ceremony held May 18 in London as part of the International Day for Women in Maritime celebration. The IMO recognized Bergaño-Diciano for her “pioneering and transformative role” in the Philippine Coast Guard and for championing opportunities for women not only in the Philippines but also across Southeast Asia. Chomi was honored for serving as a visible example for women pursuing senior technical positions at sea—one of the maritime industry’s most traditionally male-dominated professions. Meanwhile, Silva-Campo was cited for breaking barriers within the Philippine Coast Guard and helping implement gender-responsive policies that opened pathways for women to achieve flag rank leadership positions. The commendations formed part of the IMO Gender Equality Award program, which recognizes individuals and leaders helping advance diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities across the maritime sector. The recognition of the three Filipinas also highlighted the growing global presence of Filipino women in maritime leadership and technical professions, areas historically dominated by men for decades. International Maritime Organization #FASMaritime #SeafaringAndShippingStoriesToldBetter #IndustryLookout

LOOK: A landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been formally signed between the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and DMMA College of Southern Philippines (DCSP), cementing a partnership set to reshape industry training standards. The two institutions are collaborating to launch the Post-Graduate Certificate in Maritime Leadership and Officer Development Program. This initiative unites AIM’s globally recognized expertise in advanced management education with DCSP’s longstanding excellence in maritime instruction, creating a curriculum that bridges the gap between hands-on seafaring technical skills and strategic executive leadership. The collaboration reinforces DCSP’s position as a premier center of learning and excellence. It also marks a significant step forward for the wider industry, supporting the professionalization of the maritime sector and equipping the next generation of leaders with the knowledge and capabilities needed to succeed in the global maritime landscape DMMA College of Southern Philippines Asian Institute of Management #FASMaritime #SeafaringAndShippingStoriesToldBetter #IndustryLookout

NEWS | A former seafarer whose work helped expand opportunities for women in shipping and maritime leadership has received the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Gender Equality Award 2026. Professor Momoko Kitada, a Japanese maritime academic and former seafarer, received the award during a ceremony held May 18 at IMO Headquarters in London in celebration of the International Day for Women in Maritime. The IMO said Kitada was recognized for her long-standing efforts to promote diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities in maritime education and professional development, particularly for young maritime professionals and future industry leaders. Currently serving as Academic Dean, Full Professor, and Head of Maritime Education and Training at the World Maritime University (WMU), Kitada has spent years integrating gender perspectives into maritime education, sustainability, innovation, digitalization, and leadership development. Her work has also focused on identifying structural barriers affecting women in maritime while helping create practical solutions aimed at building a more inclusive industry. During the ceremony, Kitada reflected on how her mother encouraged her to pursue education and economic independence from an early age, emphasizing the importance of knowledge and genuine understanding in advancing gender equality. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez praised Kitada’s contribution to the industry, saying her work helped move gender balance “from aspirational policy to actual practice.” The award, established in 2022, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the maritime sector. The Philippines also received recognition during the event, with Commodore Christine Pauline Bergaño-Diciano, Ms. Elisa D. Chomi, and Rear Admiral Mitzie Silva-Campo receiving Letters of Commendation from the IMO. International Maritime Organization World Maritime University #FASMaritime #SeafaringAndShippingStoriesToldBetter #IndustryLookout