THE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) said on Saturday that there was still no final finding that would establish that the electric vehicle on board the ill-fated MV June Aster was the cause of the fire.
In a statement, a copy of which was obtained by The Manila Times, Marina said it fully supported the initiative of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) to develop clear, science-based standards for the safe carriage of electric and hybrid vehicles onboard domestic passenger vessels.
Marina Administrator Sonia Malaluan said the agency is working closely with the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and DOE to review existing safety protocols.
The concerned agencies would establish appropriate requirements that would protect passengers, vessels and crew while keeping pace with the growth of electric mobility, Malaluan said.
“The agency emphasizes that the investigation into the MV June Aster fire is ongoing, and no final finding has established that the electric vehicle onboard caused the incident,” the Marina chief said.
Marina’s statement came after Montenegro Shipping Lines Inc. barred electric and hybrid vehicles from its vessels following its own initial findings on the ferry (MV June Aster,) which caught fire off Coron, Palawan, last week.
The domestic shipping company cited investigation results which showed that the explosion and fire may have originated from an electric vehicle.
Marina, an attached agency of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), said it will continue to step up its safety regulations and protocols based on the findings of the investigation, technical assessments, and applicable international maritime safety standards.
Marina officials did not respond to questions about Montenegro’s move to bar electric and hybrid vehicles from its vessels.
One electric car, five motorcycles, one pickup and one forklift, as well as essential goods such as rice and eggs, were on board the ill-fated ferry, reports said.
Seventy-seven people died in the sinking, and eight were reported missing. Forty-three survived.
