These will not only lower emissions, but also costs for their creation.
According to a recent statement by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), it is moving to pilot new electric and hybrid-powered ferries in various parts of the country.
Through the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), electric ferries are seen to serve the Iloilo-Bacolod route in Western Visayas, while hybrid vessels will serve the Batangas-Calapan in Southern Luzon.
This comes after an International Maritime Organization (IMO)-World Bank study on improving the safety and energy efficiency of domestic passenger ferries. Routes carrying at least 500,000 passengers annually were identified as particularly suitable for electric ferry operations.
“Ang gusto natin dito ay makita kung paano natin magagamit ang teknolohiyang ito sa Pilipinas at paano mabe-benepisyuhan ang mga pasahero, ship owners, at maging ang ating environment at kalusugan,” shared Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez.
He added, “Kaya nitong mabawasan ang konsumo ng fuel, carbon emissions, at gastos sa operasyon ng mga vessels. Ultimately, ang makikinabang dito ay ang ating mga pasahero.”
Engr. Ramon Hernandez, Director II – Overseas Shipping Service of MARINA, said that pure electric vessels are being considered for shorter routes, while hybrid ships may be more practical for medium-distance trips.
“These e-ferries will solve some of the issues and concerns natin regarding first, environment. It will reduce the emission of carbon dioxide from ships,” Hernandez said.
Moreover, he also stated that it will also address the high cost of fuel oil.
“When you shift to electric, medyo bababa yung power consumption cost. And then meron ding effect din yan sa fare sa commuters natin, sa public natin who is using water transportation,” the official also said.
According to MARINA, around 69 million passenger trips were recorded through Philippine maritime transport in 2025. Out of roughly 4,000 domestic passenger ships, around 300 inter-island ferries account for about 86% of carbon dioxide emissions from domestic ferries.
The World Bank has also studied the economics of electric ferry operations in the Philippines.
According to them, an electric ferry costs about US$10 million more than the conventional vessels. Although, a conventional diesel-powered ferry could spend US$25 million to US$50 million on fuel alone over 15 years, depending on oil prices.
World Bank Senior Port & Maritime Transport Specialist Ninan Biju Oommen also pointed to the Bank’s broader role in the maritime sector.
“The World Bank is providing financing to developing countries, and one of the key areas that we focus is sustainable development. Also reducing greenhouse gas emissions, carbon emissions. So this is one area the Bank is willing to work together with developing countries,” Oommen said.
He added, “If you extend the life cycle time for a 15-year operating cycle, you don’t need to increase the fares. The model has ensured that you can recover the cost without increasing the fares.”
Meanwhile, MARINA also plans to retrofit existing ferries with electric or hybrid systems, while the shift could open opportunities for local shipbuilding.
Vessel designers from Norway, which put the world’s first all-electric car ferry into service in 2015, have also expressed interest in working with Philippine shipyards.
“You don’t want to get your ships back here in Europe, but you want to build your ship in the Philippines, and we have so many, so many people there, and technology and resources for shipbuilding,” Philippine Ambassador to Norway Enrico Fos said, noting that technology would be the one imported instead.
The Philippine delegation saw electric ferries, battery and charging systems, propulsion technologies and shipbuilding facilities during its study visit to Norway in September.
The DOTr and MARINA noted that they will bring together government agencies, development partners, shipowners and other industry stakeholders on November 4 in Iloilo, for a Stakeholder Consultation on the Interisland Ferry Decarbonization Pilot Project.
There will discussions on the requirements for pilot operations, including vessel technology, charging infrastructure, financing and possible retrofitting.
