Gov't prepares sea transport guidelines for EVs following ferry fire

Gov't prepares sea transport guidelines for EVs following ferry fire
Gabriell Christel Galang Sep 21, 2026 https://mb.com.ph/2026/09/21/govt-prepares-sea-transport-guidelines-for-...

Local energy regulators and maritime authorities are planning to establish formal guidelines for transporting electric and hybrid vehicles aboard domestic shipping vessels.

Patrick Aquino, Department of Energy (DOE) Director of the Energy Utilization Management Bureau (EUMB), said the move seeks to address safety gaps following a fatal ferry fire that prompted private operators to restrict battery-powered transport.

The DOE is now collaborating with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)to draft a joint memorandum circular expected within the month,

He said the planned policy aims to provide uniform protocols for ferry operators as electric vehicle adoption accelerates across the country.

The regulatory push comes after a fire aboard the passenger-cargo vessel MV June Aster off Coron, Palawan, raised concerns over the risks associated with transporting lithium-ion batteries by sea.
Investigators are examining whether an electric vehicle (EV) in the ferry's cargo hold contributed to the blaze.

In response to the incident, two domestic shipping operators temporarily prohibited electric and hybrid electric vehicles from embarking on its fleet.
The DOE described the voluntary operator bans as a prudent interim measure while state standards are finalized.

The DOE has also consulted technical experts and the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) to formulate practical guidelines. Alongside maritime transport rules, the DOE is coordinating with the BFA to update the implementing regulations of the national Fire Code to specifically cover battery storage and thermal runaway risks.

Domestic availability of battery-powered models has expanded rapidly, with the DOE recognizing 67 new electric vehicle units recently, bringing the total recognized nationwide to 949 as of Aug. 31.
Fully electric battery models account for 614 of those units, alongside 172 plug-in hybrids, 159 hybrid electrics, and four light electric vehicles.