Shipping giant bans EVs, hybrids after Palawan ferry fire

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Citing safety fears sparked by the fatal sea mishap last week in Palawan, ferry giant Montenegro Shipping Lines, Inc. (MSLI) has banned all electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) from boarding its ships, including those plying the critical Calapan–Batangas route. 

The carrier said the prohibition covers both passenger and cargo vehicles across all its routes, according to a September 16 memorandum issued to all vessel masters and obtained by the Inquirer on Thursday. 

The directive comes as initial investigations into the recent Coron maritime accident suggest an electric vehicle may have been the source of an onboard explosion and fire that resulted in fatalities.

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READ: In Palawan, kin of ferry fire victims still seek answers a week after tragedy

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“This measure is being implemented as a safety precaution to minimize the risk of fire, explosion, thermal runaway and other potential hazards associated with electric and hybrid vehicle batteries during vessel operation,” the MSLI memorandum stated. 

Under the new policy, EVs and HEVs are barred from all MSLI vessels effective immediately, tasking the crews to identify and inspect every vehicle before boarding. 

The firm says “any attempts to bring prohibited vehicles on board must be reported to the company’s operations department.”

Capt. Romeo Region, Safety and Quality Assurance Manager, and Operations Manager Dennis Berania signed the order with a notation by MSLI President Vicente Montenegro. 

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Shipping and maritime safety authorities have yet to issue a nationwide policy on EV carriage aboard Philippine inter-island ferries, leaving individual operators to impose their own restrictions following the ferry fire off Coron, Palawan.

READ: 4 more listed passengers did not board MV June Aster

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According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), 77 perished in the Coron incident involving MV June Aster that departed from Baseco Port in Manila en route to Coron, Palawan. Eight remain missing, while 43 were rescued./coa