THE ELECTRIC RIVER FERRY IS HERE

THE ELECTRIC RIVER FERRY IS HERE

At long last, the electric ferry is finally gliding along the Pasig River. Called the M/B Dalaray — from the Tagalog word daloy, meaning “flow of current” — this vessel is more than just another addition to our public transport system. It is a proud product of Filipino ingenuity, developed by engineers from the University of the Philippines Diliman with support from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

The Dalaray can carry 40 passengers and three crew members, powered entirely by a battery-electric propulsion system supported by solar panels. With a range of 45 kilometers per charge and a runtime of up to three hours, it represents a major step toward cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable urban mobility.

However, as proud as I am of this development, I can’t help but note that it took us a decade to get here. Norway launched its first fully electric ferry, the Ampere, back in 2015. Denmark followed in 2019 with Ellen. In short, we are about ten years behind. But instead of complaining, I’d rather focus on what we can do to close that gap faster next time.

A DIFFERENCE IN CONCEPT

The team calls it an electric ferry, but if you ask me, it’s more accurate to call it a Battery-Powered Vehicle (BPV). After all, it runs on stored energy that comes from solar panels. That’s an important distinction. An electric vehicle (EV) is only as clean as the electricity that powers it — and if that electricity comes from coal or oil-fired plants, then we’re just shifting emissions from the tailpipe to the power plant.

That’s why BPV design — with solar-charged batteries — makes more sense for the Philippines. Our tropical climate gives us abundant sunlight all year long. Why not use it directly to power our mobility systems? The Dalaray’s solar integration is what makes it truly sustainable. Without that, it would simply be an electric boat powered by fossil-fuel-generated electricity.

LEARNING FROM HISTORY

This isn’t the first time solar transport has been tried in the Philippines. Remember the Solar8 buses introduced by an Israeli company some years ago? They were ahead of their time — solar-powered public buses that proved the concept could work in our cities. Unfortunately, that venture didn’t last long, but it planted the seed for local innovation like the Dalaray.

The next logical step, therefore, is not just to stop at ferries. If UP engineers can design and build a battery-electric boat, they can certainly develop battery-solar cars, tricycles, and buses. Imagine our public transport system — from road to river — running on locally produced, renewable energy. That’s how we can finally cut our dependence on imported fuel.

A FLOATING SYMBOL OF HOPE

The Pasig River, once a symbol of pollution and neglect, could now become a corridor of innovation and sustainability. With more e-ferries like the Dalaray, river transport could ease Metro Manila’s traffic congestion, reduce emissions, and even attract tourists. It’s a clean, quiet, and scenic route connecting Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, and Taguig — cities long choked by road traffic.

Dr. Lew Andrew Tria, who leads the UP team, deserves commendation. So does DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., who emphasized that this project “proves Filipino engineers can design and deliver technologies that serve both people and the planet.” That statement captures what we need to do as a country — make science serve people, not just sit in research reports.

NEXT STEPS

Now comes the hard part — commercialization. Too often, government-funded innovations end up as one-off prototypes, proudly launched but never mass-produced. If we want to truly make a dent, the DOST, UP, and the Department of Transportation should create a local production program for electric ferries and other BPVs.

Better yet, let’s bring the technology to the barangay level. Imagine small-scale solar-powered ferries connecting island communities, ferrying students to school, or transporting goods across rivers. Cooperatives could operate them, reducing fuel expenses and keeping income within the community.

With over 7,600 islands, the Philippines could be a global showcase for modular, community-scale e-ferries — if we have the vision (and the funding) to make it happen.

QUESTIONS WORTH ASKING

Can we build more charging stations along rivers and coastal towns?
 Can we make affordable financing programs so that local operators can buy e-ferries?
 Can we standardize battery technology across vehicles — from ferries to jeepneys — to simplify maintenance and supply chains?

These are not impossible goals. What we need is coordination, investment, and political will.

A FINAL THOUGHT

The Dalaray may not be the first electric ferry in the world, but it is a symbol of Filipino persistence. It shows that we can innovate with purpose and create technologies suited to our own realities. If we nurture this mindset — one project, one invention at a time — we may yet close that ten-year gap.

For now, let’s celebrate the fact that the electric river ferry is here — built by Filipino minds, powered by Filipino sunlight, and sailing on a river that, perhaps, is finally flowing toward a cleaner and brighter future.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres

iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com

02-14-2026

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