DOE seeks rules on boarding EVs on ships after MV June Aster tragedy

MANILA, Philippines — Following the fire on a Palawan ferry that carried an electric vehicle (EV), the Department of Energy (DOE) has sought new guidelines on boarding EVs and hybrids onto vessels from the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).

On Wednesday last week (September 9), M/V June Aster caught fire at sea while on its way to Coron, Palawan, from Batangas.

The tragedy killed at least 77 persons.

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Initial investigation indicated that it might have been the EV on board that caused the fire and explosion.

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“The guidelines of Marina don’t have specific rules on EVs,” DOE Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick Aquino told the Senate finance subcommittee on Thursday.

“That’s why we’re coordinating with them to come out with new guidelines to address this concern,” Aquino said.

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

Following the disaster, major ferry company Montenegro Shipping Lines, Inc. banned EVs and hybrid EVs from boarding its ships.

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Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian pointed out that should other shipping lines follow suit, it will discourage Filipinos in remote parts of the country from purchasing EVs, despite soaring gas prices.

Aquino then noted that the investigation of the MV June Aster has not yet fully ruled out that internal combustion engines might have caused the fire. /apl