A LOCALLY designed battery electric ferry will begin operations along the Pasig River in November this year as part of efforts to expand sustainable transport options and enhance disaster mobility in Metro Manila.
Developed by researchers from the University of the Philippines Diliman, the M/B Dalaray, or ‘flow of current,’ was recently introduced at Plaza Mexico in Intramuros, Manila.
It is designed to carry up to 40 passengers and three crew members, with a five-ton capacity, and can travel up to 45 kilometers at 8 knots on a single charge.
The ferry, which is powered by solar-assisted battery technology, can be fully recharged within two to three hours and is capable of continuous three-hour trips, making it suitable for short daily routes across the Pasig River network.
The project is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD).
Since 2014, DOST has invested over P962.6 million in electric vehicle research and related technologies.
Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said the ferry aligns with the agency’s Smart and Sustainable Communities Program, which helps local governments apply science-based tools for resilience and inclusive urban planning.
Solidum added that the vessel can also support emergency transport in case of major earthquakes, noting that the Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study recommends developing alternative routes along the Pasig River and Laguna Lake to ensure mobility if major roads become impassable.
The Pasig River corridor connects Pasig, Makati, Mandaluyong, Taguig and Manila, as well as nearby communities in Marikina, Rizal and Laguna.