Filipino-made E-Ferry sails toward a smarter metro

By TechWatch PH Staff

The future of urban transport is gliding along the Pasig River.

Designed and built by Filipino engineers, the country’s first electric passenger ferry — the M/B Dalaray — sets sail as a living proof of how homegrown innovation can drive sustainable mobility in cities.

Unveiled at Plaza Mexico in Intramuros, Manila, the M/B Dalaray embodies the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Smart and Sustainable Communities Program (SSCP) — a nationwide initiative helping local governments harness science and technology to build resilient, data-driven, and inclusive communities.

“The M/B Dalaray is the Philippines’ first locally designed and fabricated battery electric ferry, a product of Filipino ingenuity and collaboration,” said Science and Technology Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. “Funded by the DOST and monitored by the DOST–PCIEERD, this project symbolizes our move toward a greener, cleaner, and smarter mode of transportation.”

Developed by inventors from the University of the Philippines–Diliman, the M/B Dalaray — named after the Tagalog word for “flow of current” — combines renewable energy and modern marine design. It can carry up to 40 passengers and three crew, cruise 45 kilometers at eight knots, and recharge in just 2–3 hours. The solar-powered vessel can sail for three hours straight — ideal for daily trips along the Pasig River corridor.

Beyond easing road congestion, Solidum said the e-ferry can play a key role in disaster preparedness and response, especially during earthquakes when roads might be impassable. The DOST chief, a staunch resilience advocate, personally supported the ferry project as part of Metro Manila’s broader adaptation strategy.

Since 2014, DOST has invested over P962.6 million in electric vehicle research and related technologies — a long-term commitment to advancing local expertise in sustainable transport.

Through projects like the M/B Dalaray, the Smart and Sustainable Communities Program brings the DOST’s vision to life: connecting human well-being, wealth creation, environmental protection, and sustainability — a true manifestation of the agency’s OneDOST4U mantra: Solutions and Opportunities for All.