The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the World Bank Group (WBG) have strengthened their partnership in driving the modernization and decarbonization of the country’s domestic ferry sector through the Interisland Ferry Decarbonization Pilot Project.

The kickoff meeting and workshop, held in Manila City, marked the formal launch of a collaborative initiative that aims to develop a national strategy and design a pilot project focused on ferry decarbonization. The project underscores the Philippine government’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while improving the sustainability and efficiency of maritime transport.

A Commitment to Modernization and Sustainability

MARINA Deputy Administrator for Operations Nannette Villamor-Dinopol expressed the agency’s support for the initiative, emphasizing its potential to provide practical and technical recommendations that will help guide the modernization and decarbonization of domestic ships.

The partnership builds on earlier cooperation. In 2022, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and WBG, in collaboration with MARINA, conducted a field visit under the Formal Safety Assessment–Passenger (FSA-P ENV-P) project. That study highlighted ways to improve safety and energy efficiency in domestic ferries and directly contributed to the Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) 2028. One of its key recommendations was to launch the Interisland Ferry Decarbonization Pilot Project, which is now underway.

International Support and Collaboration

John Richardson, World Bank Philippines Transport Program Coordinator, presented the project’s overview, recognizing the support of the Japanese and Australian Governments in moving the initiative forward. He also underscored the importance of collaboration with Philippine government agencies such as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and MARINA, along with relevant maritime stakeholders.

The Australian Embassy in the Philippines, through Second Secretary Alex Sodomaco, likewise emphasized that decarbonizing the ferry system is both an environmental and public health priority, highlighting the broader benefits for communities and ecosystems.

Towards a Greener and Safer Maritime Transport

The event also featured technical presentations, including the findings and recommendations of the Freight Flow Model, along with a capacity-building workshop focused on ferry demand assessment and modeling. These sessions outlined both the opportunities and challenges in transitioning to cleaner and more sustainable maritime transport.

In his closing message, Ramon Hernandez, Director of MARINA’s Shipyards Regulation Service, encouraged stakeholders to continue working closely together and requested that the World Bank facilitate a separate focus group discussion to ensure actionable outcomes.

A Forward-Looking Initiative

The MARINA–World Bank collaboration represents a vital step toward aligning the Philippine maritime sector with global decarbonization efforts. By introducing practical solutions and fostering international cooperation, the project aims not only to reduce emissions but also to pave the way for a modern, resilient, and sustainable domestic ferry system.

PHOTO COURTESY: MARINA