The Department of Energy (DOE) said Thursday it is working to address emerging fire risks tied to electric and hybrid vehicles, a day after Montenegro Shipping Lines barred both vehicle types from its vessels.
In a memorandum dated September 16, Montenegro Shipping Lines said it would no longer accept electric and hybrid vehicles onboard its ships, whether as passenger vehicles or cargo. The company cited a recent maritime incident in which initial investigation findings point to an electric vehicle as the possible source of an explosion.
The ban applies to all Montenegro vessels and takes effect immediately, covering both passenger and cargo carriage.
The DOE said it recognizes the safety concerns raised by the shipping line. The agency is taking part in drafting the 2026 Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Fire Code and is coordinating with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to address risks linked to electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries.
“Safety must come first,” said Energy Secretary Sharon Garin.
“We want Filipinos to trust that riding a ferry with an electric vehicle is just as safe as riding with any other vehicle. We are working closely with the BFP and MARINA to get the standards right, standards that protect our passengers and our vessels while still allowing electric mobility to grow,” Garin said.
The DOE is also coordinating with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the BFP, and the Philippine Coast Guard on the ongoing investigation into the fire aboard the M/V June Aster, the passenger ferry that caught fire off Coron, Palawan, on September 9. The vessel, carrying 134 people on a route from Manila to Coron, caught fire in its cargo hold roughly 39 kilometers from its destination. The disaster killed 77 people, making it one of the deadliest Philippine maritime incidents in more than a decade.
“The Department remains in close coordination with these agencies to ensure that safety measures for electric and hybrid vehicles keep pace with the country’s growing shift to cleaner transport, so that Filipino passengers and motorists alike can continue to travel safely and with confidence,” the DOE said.
The department did not provide a timeline for when the new Fire Code rules or updated maritime safety standards would take effect. Montenegro Shipping Lines’ ban remains the only publicly announced restriction of its kind among Philippine shipping operators as of this writing.
