The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has ordered all domestic shipping companies to adopt a mandatory electronic ticketing system to reduce long lines and stop ticket scalping.
Under a new circular, ship operators must use the Ships E-ticketing Application System (SEAS), which formalizes the government’s online ticketing platform for inter-island travel.
The system requires all passenger vessels, including ROPAX ships and fast crafts, to issue digital tickets. This aims to prevent illegal ticket reselling, avoid overbooking, and automatically apply discounts for senior citizens, students, and persons with disabilities.
SEAS will also improve safety by generating digital passenger lists that can be quickly accessed during emergencies.
Passengers will be able to book tickets online anytime, while ports are expected to become less crowded due to the shift to digital transactions.
The rollout will start with pilot testing in selected ports in the second quarter, followed by nationwide implementation in the third quarter.
Some vessels are exempted, including motorbancas, recreational boats, service boats, and non-passenger company vessels.
MARINA said the system will make sea travel safer, fairer, and more convenient for the public.
