In an advisory, Lite Shipping said its policy allowing EVs aboard its vessels supports Republic Act No. 11697, or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), which promotes the use and development of EVs to reduce the Philippines’ dependence on imported fuel and support cleaner transportation.
Lite Shipping said the transport of EVs would be subject to specific precautionary measures to ensure the safety of passengers, crew, cargo and vessels.
EVs must be stowed in well-ventilated areas and remain switched off throughout the voyage. Drivers and passengers will not be allowed to remain inside the vehicles during transit.
The company said dedicated firefighting equipment suitable for electrical and lithium-ion battery fires must also be readily available aboard its vessels.
Vessel operators may impose additional safety protocols as necessary, it added.
Reservations
Concerns over the transport of EV by sea was heightened by the Sept. 9 fire aboard MV June Aster off Coron, Palawan while sailing from Manila to Coron, which left 77 people dead.
The vessel carried one EV, five motorcycles, a forklift, a pickup truck and other cargo. Survivors reported hearing an explosion from the cargo deck before the flames spread.
The accident prompted several shipping firms to issue advisories prohibiting the transport of electric and hybrid vehicles aboard their passenger and cargo vessels across all routes as a precaution against potential fires, explosions and other battery-related hazards during voyages.
The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), however, issued a clarification on Sept. 18, saying the cause of the fire aboard MV June Aster was still under investigation and that no final findings had linked the EV onboard to the incident.
Safety standards
In the same statement, the Marina said it was backing the Department of Energy’s push to develop science-based safety standards for transporting electric and hybrid vehicles aboard domestic passenger vessels.
The Marina said it was coordinating with the DOE, Bureau of Fire Protection and Philippine Coast Guard to review existing protocols and set requirements to protect passengers, crew and vessels as electric vehicle use expands.
“Lite Shipping Corp. would like to inform the public that it does not prohibit the carriage of electric vehicles (EVs) aboard its vessels,” the company said in a statement issued on Sept. 30.
The shipping firm also disputed claims that EVs are generally banned aboard ships in other countries. It said shipping operators worldwide continue to carry such vehicles while adopting procedures to address potential risks associated with lithium-ion battery systems.
Lite Shipping said its policy supports efforts to reduce the Philippines’ dependence on imported fossil fuels and promote sustainable transportation while ensuring the safe and efficient carriage of EVs. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
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