World · Philippines Bureau
Ferry operator bans electric vehicles following deadly Palawan incident
Montenegro Shipping Lines has prohibited all electric and hybrid vehicles from its vessels in response to safety concerns raised by a fatal maritime accident in Palawan. The ban affects multiple routes, including the busy Calapan-Batangas service.
LSN Philippines ·
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Montenegro Shipping Lines, Inc. (MSLI) has implemented a sweeping ban on electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) across its fleet, citing heightened safety risks following a deadly shipping incident in Palawan last week.
The prohibition, which applies to both passenger and cargo vessels, affects key maritime routes including the strategically important Calapan-Batangas crossing. The ferry operator cited concerns about battery-related hazards and potential fire risks as the primary rationale for the restrictions.
The decision follows a fatal accident that has intensified scrutiny of vehicle safety protocols in Philippine maritime transport. Ferry operators have increasingly grappled with balancing the adoption of cleaner vehicle technologies against operational safety considerations.
MSLI's move represents one of the most significant restrictions on alternative-fuel vehicles by a major Philippine carrier. The policy is expected to impact vehicle owners and transporters who have increasingly shifted toward electric and hybrid options in line with environmental mandates.