The Philippine Association of Coastal and Inland Water Ferries Inc. (PACIFI), IMP Shipyard & Port Services Inc. and Norwegian firm Zero Emission Maritime Solutions on Tuesday entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to modernize the Philippines’ coastal and inland water transport network with electric and hybrid ships.

Under the partnership, PACIFI will lead coordination with government agencies and local government units to ensure regulatory alignment and integration of the prototype electric vessel into transport modernization plans.

The MoU follows the Department of Transportation’s rollout of its first fully electric passenger ferry, M/B Dalaray, last 6 October. The Dalaray sails across 26 kilometers and 13 stops along the Pasig River, passing through the cities of Pasig, Makati, Mandaluyong, Manila and Taguig.

“The future of maritime transport will depend on a smart combination of alternative fuels, energy efficiency measures, and shore power systems —especially when powered by renewable energy,” said Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines Christian Lyster.

“Norway’s success story is impressive: with 111 ferry routes and around 180 electric ferries in operation, it is proven that electrification is not only feasible but also highly effective,” he added.

Norway is a global leader in electric mobility, pioneering zero-emission technology in transport with the first zero-emission, fully electric commuter ferry MS Ampere in 2015, followed by the first high-speed electric ferry, MS Medstraum in 2022, by the Norwegian cluster organization, Maritime Clean Tech.

Norway’s first electric ferry initiative was launched under the TrAM (Transport: Advanced and Modular) project, which is supported by the European Union’s (EU) Horizon 2020 program.

The initiative also aims to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals while enhancing the EU’s innovation, competitiveness, and economic growth.

The measure was also intended to showcase the future of maritime transport in Europe, with Norway as the center of electric ferry transport in Europe.