15/12/2025
The Philippine Interisland Shipping Association (PISA) held its General Membership Meeting at the Manila Golf and Country Club, bringing together key stakeholders from the domestic maritime sector to discuss critical regulatory, operational, and policy developments affecting interisland shipping.
The meeting provided an open forum for candid discussions on the challenges confronting domestic shipping operators, particularly in regulation, safety compliance, digitalization, and decarbonization. Members were briefed on PISA’s ongoing engagements with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), including recent policy updates on landing craft tanks (LCTs), the rollout of new safety and environmental standards, and the status of circulars influencing vessel operations and passenger services.
Key issues raised included MARINA advisories on the carriage of passengers aboard LCTs, the phased adoption of IMO-aligned safety and environmental measures, and continued industry participation in discussions on the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers and online ticketing systems. PISA leaders stressed the need for clear regulations, reasonable transition periods, and operational flexibility to ensure safety while sustaining vital domestic shipping routes that support inter-island connectivity and local economies.
A highlight of the meeting was the participation of Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) General Manager and Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid as guest speaker. Lapid outlined TIEZA’s mandate, key programs, and ongoing investments aimed at enhancing tourism infrastructure nationwide, including ports, transport access, and tourism enterprise zones that drive regional development.
In his address, Lapid underscored the close link between tourism and domestic shipping, noting that safe, reliable, and efficient inter-island transport is essential to expanding tourism beyond major gateways. He identified potential areas for collaboration between TIEZA and PISA members, such as improving port access to tourism destinations, aligning shipping services with tourism development strategies, and pursuing joint initiatives that enhance passenger experience while promoting sustainable operations.
PISA members welcomed the discussion on collaboration, emphasizing that domestic shipping operators play a crucial role in tourism dispersal by connecting travelers to island and coastal destinations that are central to Philippine tourism. They noted that closer coordination between shipping companies and tourism infrastructure planners could result in more integrated routes, improved facilities, and increased economic activity in the regions.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of PISA’s commitment to serving as a unified industry voice advocating for safe, efficient, and sustainable domestic shipping. As regulatory reforms and environmental goals continue to evolve, PISA leaders emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue with government agencies, including MARINA and TIEZA, to balance compliance, competitiveness, and national development objectives.
With collaboration emerging as a central theme, the PISA General Membership Meeting highlighted that the future of Philippine domestic shipping lies not only in navigating regulatory challenges, but also in building strong partnerships that connect islands, industries, and opportunities.
