Iloilo:Manila The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) are set to pilot-test electric ferries on the Iloilo-Bacolod route and hybrid vessels on the Batangas-Calapan route. This initiative aims to lower carbon emissions and operational costs in the maritime sector.
According to Philippines News Agency, Acting DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez stated that the initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s push for cleaner and more sustainable public transportation. The goal is to explore how this technology can benefit passengers, ship owners, the environment, and public health in the Philippines.
The move to adopt these technologies is expected to reduce fuel consumption, carbon emissions, and vessel operating costs. Lopez emphasized that passengers would ultimately benefit from these changes. The pilot project follows an earlier study by the International Maritime Organization and the World Bank, focusing on improving the safety and energy efficiency of domestic passenger ferries.
Pure electric vessels are being considered for shorter routes like Iloilo-Bacolod, while hybrid ships, which use both a traditional diesel engine and an electric motor, are deemed more practical for medium-distance journeys like Batangas-Calapan. MARINA data indicates that approximately 69 million maritime passenger trips occurred in the country in 2025, with about 300 interisland ferries contributing to 86 percent of carbon dioxide emissions from domestic ferries.
World Bank senior port and maritime transport specialist Ninan Biju Oommen noted that the shift to electric ferries could benefit commuters, as extending the operating cycle to 15 years could prevent fare increases. Though an electric ferry may cost around USD10 million more than a conventional vessel, it could still yield returns of over 8 percent. In contrast, a conventional ferry might spend USD25 million to USD50 million on fuel alone over 15 years.
MARINA is also considering retrofitting existing ferries with electric or hybrid systems, which could provide opportunities for local shipbuilding. Christopher Pastrana, President of Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation, expressed willingness to retrofit a FastCat vessel to electric power for the pilot.
The DOTr and MARINA plan to convene government agencies, development partners, shipowners, and other industry stakeholders in Iloilo on November 4 for a Stakeholder Consultation on the Interisland Ferry Decarbonization Pilot Project. Discussions will cover requirements for pilot operations, including vessel technology, charging infrastructure, financing, and potential retrofitting.
