The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has ordered all domestic shipping firms to use SEAS (Ships E-ticketing Application System) as it implements the new policy on the mandatory Shipping Online Ticketing System (SOTS), promising a safer, faster, and fairer way to travel across Philippine waters.
This is contained under Memorandum Circular DS No. 2026-01 Series of 2026 issued by MARINA on March 18, 2026 and published on March 25, 2026. The new policy will be pilot tested within the 2nd quarter in selected ports and roll out by the 3rd quarter this year.
The mandatory online ticketing system covers all domestic passenger vessels, including roll -on roll-off passenger ships and fast crafts. Exempted from this requirement are motorbancas, recreational boats, service boats, and non-passenger company vessels.
With the mandatory SOTS, passengers no longer have to fight long lines, and risk paying inflated prices for sea travel.
The system eliminates scalping, automates passenger manifests for emergency response, and ensures automatic discounts for senior citizens, students, and PWDs.
The implementation of SEAS is expected to eliminate scalping as centralized booking stops illegal resale and overbooking. The emergency-ready e-manifest will make rescue operations faster and more efficient.
Digital booking is also hassle-free as tickets can now be booked online anytime, anywhere. It prevents queueing and overcrowding in ports.
Incentives
Shipowners/operators that are fully compliant with the SOTS implementation within 12 months from circular effectivity are entitled to 100 percent discount on annual tonnage fee (ATF) for the succeeding three consecutive years, 2 years for 18 months, and one year for the 24 months.
After availing of the 100 percent discount, MARINA may assess any innovation in the system that improve safety and/or efficiency and convenience of the riding public, and may grant up to 20 percent ATF discount for the succeeding two consecutive years, subject to validation of compliance and continued use of the system.
“With SEAS, every Filipino passenger can finally travel with peace of mind. No more scalpers, no more long lines, and automatic passenger manifests mean faster response in emergencies—making sea travel safer, fairer, and more convenient for everyone,” said MARINA Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan.
