THE Philippine domestic shipping industry is taking early steps toward a greener future, demonstrating strong regulatory adherence and workforce awareness, but high technology costs, limited green financing, and an absence of alternative fuel infrastructure threaten to delay a transition to zero-emission operations, according to a published study in Pantao: An International Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Authored by Mary Ann Pastrana — who also serves as chairman of Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corp. (APFC), operator of FastCat — for a World Maritime University (WMU) research study, alongside co-authors Dr. Khanssa Lagdami and Dr. Angelica Baylo, the research paper, titled “Readiness of the Philippines’ domestic shipping sector for decarbonization,” assesses the preparedness of local vessel operators across six core pillars: policy compliance, workforce competence, fleet capabilities, financial readiness, alternative fuel adoption, and port infrastructure.
Evaluating the industry using a quantitative-descriptive framework grounded in environmental and socio-technical transition theories, the study determined that the local maritime sector is “generally ready” for decarbonization with an overall grand mean of 2.94. While policy awareness and regulatory compliance received the highest marks from stakeholders, followed closely by workforce knowledge and baseline fleet readiness, financial capacity, alternative fuel availability, and port infrastructure scored significantly lower.
To overcome key bottlenecks such as capital constraints, scarce low-emission marine fuels, and inadequate port-side charging or green bunkering facilities, the authors emphasize that voluntary industry actions will not suffice. Consequently, the study calls for the immediate adoption of a collaborative Strategic Action Plan for Maritime Decarbonization Readiness, urging maritime agencies, shipping companies, port authorities, and academic institutions to jointly de-risk green investments, modernize port infrastructure, and upskill local seafarers for long-term sustainability.
As an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands, the Philippines depends heavily on its maritime network for national trade, food security, and public transportation. Roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ferry vessels serve as the main connective tissue between Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao within the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, allowing passenger vehicles and freight trucks to drive directly onto ships to seamlessly bridge island provinces and land routes.
Fleet modernization efforts in recent years have seen the introduction of modern catamaran-type vessels and fast crafts operated by companies such as Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corp. (FastCat), OceanJet, and SuperCat, which run high-frequency inter-island passages. Meanwhile, larger passenger and cargo liners, including 2GO Travel, Starlite Ferries, Cokaliong Shipping Lines, and Lite Ferries, service primary trunk lines connecting major regional ports such as Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro.
Despite these modern additions, a substantial portion of the domestic fleet remains comprised of aging, secondhand vessels that run on conventional heavy fuel or marine diesel. Achieving deep decarbonization across the archipelago will require substantial capital to replace aging hulls, alongside systemic upgrades to regional ports to support green fuels, bunkering facilities, and shore power connection.