ABOITIZ TRANSPORT SYSTEM (ATS) will maintain its rates and try to hold off increases despite the upswing in fuel prices on the world market, said 2GO president Sabin Aboitiz. Fuel is nearly $70 per barrel (bbl) from $58/bbl in the last two months. As a result, local fuel prices have increased by about P2.50 per liter last month. The price of diesel, which is used by vessel operators, has increased by about the same amount from P28 per liter in July to about P30.50 per liter.
The Philippine Interisland Shipping Association welcomed 2GO’s plan not to increase rates even if it can readily do so under Republic Act (RA) 9295 or the Domestic Shipping Development Act of 2004. RA 9295 deregulated the shipping industry, authorizing shipping lines to kick up rates – particularly when there is an upswing in fuel prices – without passing through the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina). Before, vessel operators had to first obtain the nod of Marina before they could increase their rates.
The 2GO Road Ro-Ro Terminal System rate from Manila-Visayas is P2,780 per lane meter; Manila-Northern Mindanao, P3,107 per lane meter; and Manila to Southern Mindanao, P4,306 per lane meter; Within the Visayas region, the rate is P1,744; Visayas to Northern Mindanao, P2,017; Visayas to Southern Mindanao, P3,434; areas within Northern Mindanao, P1,090; and areas in Southern Mindanao, P2,344 per lane meter.
Aboitiz said 2GO will also continue to offer the 15% tariff discount to agricultural products being shipped to Manila as part of its commitment to the Department of Agriculture’s “Huwarang Palengke” program, which aims to reduce the prices of basic produce such as pork, vegetables and fish nationwide. Earlier, Aboitiz simplified the nine-phase transportation process into a three-step process where goods are delivered at the fastest time possible reducing transport time from Mindanao to Luzon by almost 40%.
