Major port operators began implementing the first round of approved fee increases at the Manila and Batangas ports on January 1, 2026, following approval by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
Economists previously estimated that logistics activities that include port operations account for some 4 percent of the country’s output measured as the gross domestic product or GDP.
At the Manila North Harbor, the PPA approved a 20 percent increase in cargo handling tariffs in November 2025. The hike will be implemented in two stages, with the first 10 percent taking effect on January 1, 2026, and the remaining 10 percent scheduled for July 1, 2026. The PPA also approved a 20 percent increase in passenger terminal fees, the introduction of 10 new tariff items, and higher porterage rates, parking fees, and storage charges.
In Batangas, passenger terminal fees increased by P30 on January 1, 2026, as part of a total P60 hike approved on November 27. The remaining P30 increase will take effect on July 1, 2026. Cargo handling tariffs in Batangas also rose starting January 1, with the second phase set for July.
Meanwhile, the PPA reported continued growth in port activity. As of October 2025, container traffic reached 7.14 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), while total cargo throughput stood at 262.84 million metric tons.
Passenger traffic from January to October 2025 rose 5.25 percent year on year to 69.13 million. The busiest ports for passengers were Iloilo, Batangas, Jordan, Calapan, and Babak. Cruise tourism also grew, with 157,147 passengers from 74 ship calls recorded through October.
By the end of 2025, the PPA expects cargo throughput to reach at least 301.47 million metric tons, container volume to hit 8 million TEUs, and passenger traffic to climb to 85.41 million.
