Norway hosts Philippine ferry delegation to showcase electric and low-carbon maritime systems

A Philippine delegation from public and private transport sectors visited Norway for a four-day study trip on electric and low-carbon ferry systems. Organized by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Manila, Innovation Norway, and Maritime CleanTech, the trip included on-site demonstrations and talks with Norwegian ferry operators. The delegation included officials from DOTr and MARINA, plus private firms and the World Bank, signaling interest in applying Norway's model to Philippine inter-island routes. Norway has run the world's first fully electric car ferry, MS Ampere, since 2015, and the high-speed electric ferry MS Medstraum since 2022. Medstraum cuts emissions by about 1,500 metric tons a year and uses roughly 30% less energy than conventional ferries. For the Philippines, where ferries move millions of passengers, electrification could lower fuel costs and emissions, but charging infrastructure and grid capacity remain key challenges. The visit builds on a November 2025 electric ferries conference in Manila and aims to develop a broader ecosystem covering regulation, financing, and operations.