CEBU CITY — OceanJet, one of the Philippines’ largest fast ferry operators, has announced temporary adjustments to several of its inter-island ferry schedules across the Visayas as the maritime transport sector grapples with rising fuel costs linked to the ongoing global energy crisis.

In an advisory issued Thursday, the Cebu-based company confirmed that it is implementing temporary trip adjustments and selected cancellations as part of a contingency plan aimed at managing operational costs amid volatility in global oil markets triggered by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The adjustments, OceanJet said, are being implemented in compliance with Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Advisory No. 26-10, Series of 2026, which outlines recommended responses for shipping companies affected by disruptions in fuel supply and pricing.

The advisory stressed that the operational changes are temporary and that most services will continue to run with adjusted schedules.

“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause,” OceanJet said in its statement, adding that affected passengers will be accommodated on alternative trips whenever possible.

Despite the operational adjustments, the company also clarified that fares remain unchanged for now.

“As of this moment there is no fare increase implemented by OceanJet,” the company said, while noting that ticket prices may still be subject to change depending on developments in the global fuel market.

Vital Inter-Island Transportation Network

OceanJet operates one of the most extensive high-speed ferry networks in the Philippines, connecting major ports across the Visayas and parts of Mindanao.

Its routes link Cebu, Negros, Bohol, Siquijor, Leyte, Panay and Surigao, providing a crucial transportation corridor for residents, tourists and business travelers moving between islands.

The temporary schedule adjustments affect several major routes serving Central and Western Visayas.

Iloilo–Bacolod Ferry Corridor

Among the routes with updated schedules is the busy Iloilo–Bacolod corridor connecting Panay Island and Negros Occidental.

Under the revised schedule, departures from Iloilo to Bacolod operate at:

7:20 a.m.

11:00 a.m.

2:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

Return trips from Bacolod to Iloilo depart at:

5:45 a.m.

8:50 a.m.

1:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

Ticket prices for the route remain at ₱550 for Tourist or Open Air class and ₱800 for Business class.

The Iloilo–Bacolod route is one of the most heavily traveled ferry corridors in the Visayas, serving commuters, traders and tourists traveling between the two cities.

Cebu–Getafe Route

OceanJet continues to operate regular trips between Cebu City and Getafe in Bohol, an important entry point to the province’s northern municipalities.

Departures from Cebu to Getafe are scheduled at:

6:30 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

1:30 p.m.

Return trips from Getafe to Cebu depart at:

8:15 a.m.

11:45 a.m.

3:15 p.m.

Tourist class fares for the route are ₱450, while Business class tickets cost ₱800.

The route serves passengers traveling to northern Bohol towns and nearby island communities.

Dumaguete–Siquijor Route Maintained

OceanJet continues to operate multiple daily trips between Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental and Siquijor Island, a route heavily used by tourists and residents.

Updated departures from Dumaguete to Siquijor are scheduled at:

7:20 a.m.

11:00 a.m.

1:00 p.m.

7:10 p.m.

Return trips from Siquijor to Dumaguete depart at:

6:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

12:00 noon

6:00 p.m.

Fares remain at ₱350 for Tourist class and ₱580 for Business class.

The route remains one of the most critical tourism gateways in the region, providing access to Siquijor’s beaches, dive sites and resorts.

Tagbilaran–Dumaguete Connection

OceanJet also continues to operate a direct link between Tagbilaran City in Bohol and Dumaguete.

Under the updated schedule, ferries depart Tagbilaran for Dumaguete at 10:40 a.m., with return trips from Dumaguete to Tagbilaran scheduled at 1:00 p.m.

Tourist class tickets cost ₱900, while Business class tickets are priced at ₱1,400.

The route serves passengers traveling between Bohol and Negros Oriental for tourism, education and commerce.

Cebu–Tagbilaran–Siquijor Connecting Route

OceanJet maintains a connecting route linking Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor.

From Cebu, ferries depart for Tagbilaran at:

5:10 a.m.

1:00 p.m.

From Tagbilaran, ferries continue to Siquijor at:

7:30 a.m.

3:20 p.m.

Return trips from Siquijor to Tagbilaran depart at:

8:20 a.m.

2:30 p.m.

Passengers traveling onward to Cebu can take Tagbilaran-to-Cebu departures at:

10:40 a.m.

5:00 p.m.

Fares for the Cebu–Tagbilaran route are ₱800 for Tourist class and ₱1,200 for Business class.

The same rates apply for the Siquijor–Tagbilaran segment.

Cebu–Tagbilaran–Dumaguete Route

Another connecting route links Cebu, Bohol and Negros Oriental.

Trips from Cebu to Tagbilaran depart at 8:20 a.m., followed by Tagbilaran departures to Dumaguete at 10:40 a.m.

Return trips from Dumaguete depart at 1:00 p.m., with connecting ferries from Tagbilaran to Cebu leaving at 3:20 p.m.

Fares for Cebu–Tagbilaran remain ₱800 for Tourist class and ₱1,200 for Business class.

Meanwhile, Dumaguete–Tagbilaran tickets cost ₱900 for Tourist class and ₱1,400 for Business class.

Cebu–Maasin–Surigao Route

OceanJet also operates services linking Cebu, Southern Leyte and Surigao City in Mindanao.

The route operates as follows:

Cebu to Maasin: 7:00 a.m.

Maasin to Surigao: 10:30 a.m.

Surigao to Maasin: 1:00 p.m.

Maasin to Cebu: 3:30 p.m.

Tourist class fares for Cebu–Maasin cost ₱1,100, while Business class tickets are priced at ₱1,600.

For the Maasin–Surigao route, Tourist class tickets cost ₱800 and Business class tickets cost ₱1,200.

Cebu–Ormoc Route

OceanJet also continues to operate the Cebu–Ormoc route connecting Cebu and Leyte.

Departures from both Cebu and Ormoc are scheduled at:

6:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

1:00 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

Tourist class tickets cost ₱1,100, while Business class fares remain at ₱1,600.

The route remains an important transportation link between Cebu and Leyte.

Busiest Route: Cebu–Tagbilaran

OceanJet’s busiest corridor, Cebu–Tagbilaran, continues to maintain frequent daily departures.

Trips from Cebu to Tagbilaran operate at multiple intervals including:

5:10 a.m.

6:00 a.m.

7:00 a.m.

8:20 a.m.

9:20 a.m.

10:40 a.m.

11:40 a.m.

1:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m.

3:20 p.m.

4:20 p.m.

5:40 p.m.

Return trips from Tagbilaran to Cebu are similarly scheduled throughout the day beginning at 6:00 a.m.

Warning Against Scammers

OceanJet also warned passengers to remain vigilant against unauthorized individuals offering unofficial ticketing or rebooking services during the adjustment period.

Passengers were advised to transact only with official OceanJet ticketing offices, authorized agents and official online platforms.

Travelers seeking updates are encouraged to monitor announcements on the company’s official Facebook page and customer service channels.

Industry-Wide Fuel Pressure

The adjustments highlight growing pressure on the Philippine maritime sector as global fuel prices remain volatile.

Shipping companies rely heavily on imported fuel, making the industry particularly sensitive to international oil market fluctuations.

Fuel accounts for a major portion of operating costs for fast ferries, especially high-speed vessels such as those operated by OceanJet.

Despite the challenges, the company reiterated its commitment to maintaining reliable inter-island connectivity.

“We remain dedicated to providing safe, fast and reliable sea travel while carefully managing operations during this period,” the company said.

The updated schedules took effect March 11, 2026.

Photo credit: OceanJet / Facebook