The Philippine Association of Coastal and Inland Water Ferries Inc. (PACIFI), IMP Shipyard & Port Services, Inc. and Norway-based Zero Emission Maritime Solutions (ZEM AS) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly develop the country’s prototype electric/hybrid propulsion ferry.
The initiative aims to modernize the Philippines’ coastal and inland water transport network. The agreement, signed during the Norway-Philippines Electric Ferries Conference 2025 on Tuesday, marks the rollout of the Integrated Modernization Program for Coastal and Inland Water Transport System (CIWTS).
This is an industry-led effort promoting cleaner, climate-resilient, and economically inclusive maritime mobility in island and coastal communities. Under the partnership, PACIFI will lead coordination with government agencies and local government units to ensure regulatory alignment and integration of the prototype vessel into transport modernization plans.
IMP Shipyard will handle the vessel’s design and construction, while ZEM will install and supervise the electric propulsion technology for the e-ferry.
PACIFI executive director Juan Miguel Gonzales said the project addresses long-standing connectivity gaps affecting remote islands while shifting the sector toward low-emission transport.
