Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan delivers an update each month which summarizes Interferry activities including regulatory updates, conference developments and membership news. The CEO Update is sent out by email to our mailing list and is announced on Interferry’s company page on LinkedIn.
Hi Ferry Fans,
For those of us who just saw another summer season come to an end as the calendar turns to September, I hope that you were able to enjoy a bit of R&R before things now ramp up in a big way as we enter the busy fall season. For the Interferry team, August was an exceptionally busy month as we continued to finalize arrangements for Interferry2025 in Sorrento.
In this month’s update, I will tell you about a presentation I gave here in BC to the Association of Pacific Ports’ annual conference audience; will again highlight Interferry’s concerns with the pending competing GHG regulations between the IMO and EU; and will draw your attention to a recent member bulletin we provided regarding upcoming changes to the EU Entry and Exit System. Last but not least, I’ll provide an update on Interferry2025 which takes place in about a month.
Association of Pacific Ports (APP) Annual Conference • Nanaimo, BC, Canada
On August 11th, I capitalized on the opportunity of the APP holding its 111th annual conference in Nanaimo, right here on Vancouver Island. During my 30-minute session I briefed the delegates on some of Interferry’s current priorities including OPS and electrification; battery electric vehicle safety; and Interferry’s FerrySafe program.
A special thank you and congratulations go to the APP’s Executive Director Jane McIvor for extending an invitation to Interferry and for delivering a very successful event.
A Call to the EU and IMO to Harmonize Regulations
I am pleased to report that our news release issued on July 29th regarding this issue received unprecedented coverage across numerous media outlets. We are hopeful that this will ultimately lead to the EU harmonizing its GHG regulations with those of the IMO to avoid the very real possibility of double taxation as well as other financial and operational challenges.
Here’s a link to the Interferry News article in case you missed it, as well as a link to a TradeWinds podcast in which our Regulatory Affairs Director Johan Roos does a great job explaining how these pending regulations will negatively affect our members who operate vessels of 5,000 GTs or more. Johan’s segment starts at six minutes into the podcast.
EU Entry Exit System (EES) Goes into Effect October 12, 2025
For people traveling to the EU who are not citizens of the EU and for ferry companies operating routes to third countries, there are significant changes coming on October 12th when the long delayed new regulations finally go into effect. These new requirements will mandate those companies who transport third country citizens into the EU to capture their biometric data (eye scans and fingerprints). It is still unclear whether these data will be recorded the first time all non-EU citizens enter the EU or if it will be done on a phased-in approach.
Throughout this prolonged process, Interferry has had a task force in place which is voicing our industry concerns with the implementation of this legislation which is trying to “put a square peg in a round hole” by replicating what may work in the airline industry.
Here’s a link to our recently issued Interferry News article that provides more information.
Interferry2025 Final Update • SELLOUT IS IMMINENT
In one month, we are excited to officially kick off Interferry2025, our 49th annual conference in Sorrento. As I have foreshadowed on many occasions, we are now essentially sold out of almost everything – including all hotel rooms at the Hilton Sorrento Palace – and only have a handful of registrations available on a first come, first served basis.
We expect to be fully sold out within a few days of you reading this update. For our annual sponsors who still have not used their full allotment of registrations, I encourage you to do so immediately via the Sponsor Hub.
For those of you who have signed up for the Technical Tour and have not completed the travel questionnaire yet, please do so here. Completing this questionnaire is paramount as we need to know whether you will be traveling back to Sorrento on the SNAV ferry after the tech tour, or will take the chartered bus to the Naples Airport to start your journey home.
The entire Interferry team is very much looking forward to seeing so many of you in Sorrento as we raise a glass of limoncello at our annual Interferry family gathering.
Ciao, take care and travel safe…
Mike Corrigan – CEO, Interferry
Hello Ferry Fans,
I hope that many of you are reading my report after enjoying some much well-deserved vacation time or are getting ready to go on summer leave.
In my report this month I would like to remind you about some upcoming important dates regarding conference registration, update you on our ongoing regulatory efforts to harmonize GHG regulations between the EU and the IMO to prevent European members from being double taxed, tell you about our trip to visit an important Canadian ferry operator member and welcome our newest members.
Interferry2025 • Non-member Registration and Member Early Bird Discount
It’s hard to believe that we are now a little over two months away from our global ferry gathering in Sorrento hosted by the Grimaldi Group. To that end, if you haven’t registered yet, I would like to remind you of some important upcoming dates.
• Non-member registration opens on August 1st
• The Early Bird discount for members ends on August 15th
Based on current registrations we expect to be sold out by mid to late September, so I encourage you to register as soon as you can to avoid disappointment. Rooms at the stunning The Hilton Sorrento Palace overlooking the Bay of Naples are also going fast, so book your accommodations as soon as possible.
You can register for the Interferry2025 conference here and book your rooms here.
A Call to the EU and IMO to Harmonize GHG Regulations
I hope that you’ve had an opportunity to see the News Release that we issued earlier this week asking the EU to harmonize its GHG regulations with the regulations that the IMO will formalize this fall. This is imperative so that our European Ropax and RoRo operator members aren’t double-taxed or pay for the same emissions twice.
If double taxation were to occur, it would put even more financial pressure on our members, cause customer fares to further increase and push even more vehicle traffic to already congested roadways.
For those of you who this issue affects, it’s vitally important to deliver this message to key decision makers in your respective jurisdictions over the course of the next couple of months.
For complete details, read our Interferry News article on Interferry.com.
A Visit to Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ)
It is always a pleasure to welcome new members to the Interferry family, and we are pleased to acknowledge our 11 newest members who have come on board in the last 6 months. As always, and where appropriate, please look to our supplier members first when considering your various business needs.
At the end of July we had the opportunity to fly across our vast country to Quebec City and visit operator member Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ). With an operation that includes 23 vessels, 11 routes and two maritime services, STQ is the second largest Canadian ferry operator. We were graciously hosted by STQ CEO and Interferry Board member Greta Bédard.
STQ’s impressive service area connects the northern and southern shores of the St. Lawrence Seaway across the expansive province of Quebec. A special thank you goes to Greta and her team for making us so welcome in “La Belle Province”.
A Welcome to our New Members in 2025
Following is the list of outstanding companies that have joined Interferry so far in 2025. It’s always great to welcome our newest members to the Interferry family. As usual and where appropriate, please look to our members first when considering your business needs.
ALIS • ITALY
Anchor Operating System • UNITED STATES
Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement • CYPRUS
Certus Online • GREECE
CMP Global • UNITED STATES
Georg Eknes Industrier AS • NORWAY
Holland Shipyards BV • NETHERANDS
Lagos State Ferry Services (Lagferry) • NIGERIA
LASWA (Lagos State Waterways Authority) • NIGERIA
MOWCA (Maritime Organization for West & Central Africa) • AFRICA
New Horizon Ferry Service Ltd • BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Pullman Seat Systems • TURKEY
Jayne Russell • UNITED STATES
Salto Systems • NORWAY
Sea Star Enterprises of West Africa • LIBERIA
SeaExpress Transit Limited • NIGERIA
SNAV • ITALY
Thai Smile Bus Company Limited • THAILAND
The Lab at Brookes Bell • UNITED KINGDOM
Vessev • NEW ZEALAND
That wraps up this month’s report. I hope that you have a great August and please remember to register soon for Interferry2025!
Take care and stay safe…
Mike Corrigan – CEO, Interferry
Hi Ferry Fans,
June proved to be a very rewarding month for the Interferry team. We started the month with a productive board meeting in Genoa, Italy and ended it with an exceptional ferry safety conference in Lagos, Nigeria. And, in the middle, we visited the operations of three important operator members: Moby Lines, Corsica Ferries and Corsica Linea.
Interferry Board Meeting • Genoa, Italy
A special thank you goes to Matteo Catani and GNV for being an exceptional host for our two-day board meeting. On the first day, the Interferry Board and staff toured the Port of Genoa’s mega-expansion project which included a meeting with Liguria Region Governor, Mr. Marco Bucci, a boat trip and a visit to the beautiful port city of Portofino. The second day comprised the board meeting – including presentations by the three proponents vying to host the 2028 conference. It is expected that the board will make its very difficult decision on the location of Interferry2028 during our meeting in Sorrento.
Interferry2025 Speakers Program Overview
The 49th annual Interferry Conference Speakers Program will kick off as always with two keynote speakers who are well known to the ferry industry: Bud Darr, President and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary General of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO).
Bud is back by popular demand after his talk at Interferry2024 in Marrakech when he was the MSC Group’s Executive Vice President of Maritime Policy and Government Affairs. Bud will discuss how cruise and ferry operators alike navigate the many connections required when moving people across the globe.
Isabelle will also emphasize the importance of connections when it comes to electrification and onshore power supply (OPS). She will share a progress report on the rollout of onshore power supply in Europe and the challenges still to be overcome as we look ahead to the looming 2030 deadline.
With connections at the forefront this year, we are looking forward to showcasing how our operators are connecting communities in the regions they serve. There will be three sessions over the two-day program that will feature Connected Communities in Greece represented by the Attica Group; Canada, represented by Société des Traversiers du Québec and BC Ferries; and the Philippines, represented by Archipelago Philippine Ferries.
After listening to your feedback, we have added an additional Ferry Leaders panel to the program, making for three ferry leader panels instead of the usual two, with day two of the Interferry2025 speakers program beginning and ending with a panel.
We are also looking forward to profiling two of our newer Interferry members, both of which we had the privilege of visiting this year. Each day will feature a Member Connect session, where the Interferry membership will be introduced to ASDP Indonesia Ferry and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).
The remainder of the program will follow the traditional model with collaborative sessions dedicated to the following Connections themes, including:
Human Connections
Operational efficiencies continue to grow through digitization, but it’s important for operators to remember the importance of connections with the employees who make those day-to-day operations possible. This session will bring unique insight into strengthening human connections through operational alignment and mutually beneficial strategies for the development of employees.
Ship to Shore Connections
As the charge towards electrification amps up, this session will explore all things electric including innovation and complexities in vessel charging and shore power integration, as well as onboard charging.
Connect with Tech
This session will give a snapshot of the many ways that technology connects and affects our industry. Presentations will discuss how data collection and analyzation improve operations and increase safety, how technology can help connect with customers and how cyber threats can be turned into strategic resilience.
The full details of the program are here on the schedule pages of the conference website.
FerrySafe Conference • Lagos, Nigeria
This regional safety gathering in Africa – co-hosted by Interferry, the Maritime Organisation for West and Central Africa (MOWCA), and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) – successfully concluded last week in Lagos, Nigeria. The two-day event marked a significant step forward for maritime safety for the 25 countries in Africa that comprise the MOWCA membership.
The conference brought together over 220 policymakers, operators, regulators, and stakeholders. Discussions focused on critical aspects of ferry safety and operational efficiency. Delegates explored navigation and weather forecasting, emphasizing clearer waterways through buoyage and channelization, alongside the vital role of accurate weather data to prevent incidents and ensure safe passage for ferries.
Interferry and MOWCA Sign Historic MOU in Lagos
A major highlight of our two-day safety conference was the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Interferry and MOWCA. This MOU – co-signed by Dr. Paul Adalikwu, Secretary General of MOWCA and me – solidifies cooperation for safe, effective, and sustainable ferry transportation in Africa.
Key areas of joint action include information campaigns for policymakers and the public regarding ferry safety and sustainability. The agreement also covers training seminars for maritime personnel, technical staff, and safety officials. Both organizations will work to strengthen legal and regulatory frameworks for ferry development. Studies on domestic ferry markets, including needs assessment and infrastructure sustainability, are also planned. Additionally, the MOU fosters cooperation between Interferry members and local operators to improve ferry company operations in West and Central Africa. The agreement also facilitates the exchange of information and mutual invitations to meetings, ensuring continuous dialogue.
Until next time, take care and stay safe…
Mike Corrigan, CEO – Interferry
Greetings Ferry Friends,
In this month’s update, I’m excited to announce our two keynote speakers for Interferry2025, as well as release the list of ferry leaders who have already committed to participating on the main stage during the Sorrento speakers program.
I’m also extremely proud to provide you with more details regarding the ferry safety conference we are co-hosting in Lagos, Nigeria under our banner of “FerrySafe”.
I will conclude my report this month by highlighting a concern being raised by more and more of our members related to the perceived disconnect of pending IMO and EU GHG regulations which could lead to much ambiguity – and the very real possibility of double taxation.
Interferry2025 Keynote Speakers • Bud Darr, CLIA and Isabelle Ryckbost, ESPO
What two better people to speak on our theme of “Connections” than Bud Darr, CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary General of The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO).
Bud is back by popular demand in his new role after receiving top marks for his talk at Interferry2024 in Marrakech when he was the MSC Group’s Executive Vice President of Maritime Policy and Government Affairs. It will be interesting to get Bud’s fresh take on the cruise sector’s challenges and opportunities of connecting with customers, communities and employees, as compared to the same issues in the ferry industry.
Sticking with our conference theme of “Connections” – and in this case, connecting with the electricity grid via onshore power supply (OPS) – I couldn’t think of a better person for our delegates to hear from than Isabelle Ryckbost, the head of the association tasked with driving electrification at major ports across Europe. With a deadline of 2030 for OPS to be available at most of Europe’s ports, it will be very interesting to hear Isabelle’s progress report on the OPS rollout, challenges still to be overcome and how our two associations can work closer together.
Confirmed Ferry Leaders at Interferry2025 in Sorrento • October 6th and 7th
While we still expect to confirm a few more high-profile participants for our Interferry2025 Speakers Program in the coming weeks, I’m confident that the list of ferry leaders that we have already received confirmation from is second to none and well worth the price of admission.
The list of leaders below not only includes the “who’s who” in the ferry world, but also represents the many types of global ferry operators that make the Interferry family so strong.
You can see photos and read the bios for the confirmed speakers here on the conference website. The Speakers and Moderators page will be continually updated as new information becomes available.
Shelvy Arifin – ASDP Indonesia Ferry, Indonesia
Götz Becker – FRS, Germany
Greta Bédard – Société des traversiers du Québec, Canada
Claes Berglund – Stena Line, Sweden
Matteo Catani – GNV, Italy
Sean Collins – Uber Boat by Thames Clipper, UK
Mike Corrigan – Interferry, Canada
Panos Dikaios – Attica Group, Greece
Oluwadamilola Emmanuel – Lagos State Waterway Authority, Nigeria
Eric Grégoire – Scandlines, Denmark
Emanuele Grimaldi – Grimaldi Group, Italy
Guido Grimaldi – Grimaldi Group, Italy
Nicolas Jimenez – BC Ferries, Canada
Rio Lasse – ASDP Indonesia Ferry, Indonesia
Niclas Mårtensson – Stena, Sweden
Christophe Mathieu – Brittany Ferries, France
Marija Zaputović Mavrinac – Jadrolinija, Croatia
Shane McMahon – StraitNZ, New Zealand
Morgan Mooney – San Juan Clipper and Fire Island Ferries, USA
Tim Mooney – Fire Island Ferries, USA
Seamus Murphy – WETA / San Francisco Bay Ferry, USA
Anders Ørgård – OSK Design, Denmark
Chet Pastrana – Archipelago Philippine Ferries, Philippines
Mary Ann Pastrana – Archipelago Philippine Ferries, Philippines
Supapan Pichaironarongsongkram – Chao Phraya Express Boat, Thailand
Johan Roos – Interferry, Sweden
Katy Taylor – Wightlink, Isle of Wight Ferries, UK
Heru Widodo – ASDP Indonesia Ferry, Indonesia
FerrySafe Conference • Lagos, Nigeria
As briefly mentioned in my report last month, we have confirmed our next safety-focused foray into Africa and have teamed up with LASWA (Lagos State Waterways Authority) and MOWCA (Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa) to deliver a top-notch safety conference in Lagos on June 25th and 26th. We have now finalized our two-day speakers program that will include 12 participants from Interferry and our supplier networks, as well as many others from the African maritime industry.
During the two-day, 200-attendee, invitation-only event we will have dedicated sessions covering: navigation; vessel financing, insurance and risk; intermodal transportation; vessel maintenance; ferry design, construction and classification; crew training and certification; and accident investigations and reporting. We will also tour local ferry operations and hear from LASWA and MOWCA representatives about the development of waterway transportation in the region.
The IMO vs The EU • GHG Regulatory Framework Challenges
On the regulatory front, Interferry is concerned that its EU members operating international ferry services risk a double taxation as the IMO will impose a Global Fuel Standard in parallel with FuelEU Maritime regulations. Besides a double taxation, we also could encounter contradicting rules and nightmarish reporting requirements. Although nothing has been set in stone, the billion-dollar questions remain as to whether an operator connecting [for example] Spain with Italy shall have to: 1) pay EU ETS; 2) meet FuelEU Maritime requirements (or pay the penalties); and/or 3) pay into the IMO Global Fuel Standard scheme. Imagine that the answer is “yes” to all three of these scenarios – the operator will then effectively be double taxed, something that is not allowed under any individual fiscal or legal framework.
The complex nature of both the EU and the IMO schemes make planning for compliance very challenging and sometimes stochastic. The FuelEU Maritime Regulation is already in force, but details of its practical application are still “a work in progress”. Consequently, early adopters risk getting things very wrong. As an example, operators of medium-speed dual-fuel engines have become painfully aware that while the GHG impact from their use of LNG is significantly lower than the default emission values, there is no mechanism to recognize this over-achievement. Consequently, they have to pay far too much into the EU ETS. As if that weren’t enough, this administrative shortcoming also worsens their compliance with the carbon intensity requirements.
Johan Roos, our director of regulatory affairs, reports that this situation appears to be a precursor to the myriad of challenges that operators will face when planning for the similar – but slightly divergent – requirements in the EU versus the IMO frameworks. As representatives of our members, we have therefore joined forces with our partner associations ECSA and ICS. We are lobbying the EU member states to work for harmonized regulations. For decades, the EU has been pushing the IMO, always reassuring that “when there is a strong global framework, the EU rules will be harmonized to match the IMO.” Now, more than ever, time has come to harmonize EU and IMO regulations.
Last but not least, June will be an especially busy travel month for us. In addition to traveling to Nigeria for our safety conference, we will be in Genoa, Italy for Interferry’s second Board of Directors meeting of the year – hosted by GNV CEO and Interferry Director Matteo Catani. We will also sail to and from Corsica, visiting our operator members in the region. We hope to see many of you during our travels.
That concludes my report for this month. In next month’s report I expect to be able to provide you with details of all sessions of the Interferry2025 Speakers Program. In the meantime, don’t wait too long to register! My team tells me that wait lists are already being created for many of the tours and sponsorship packages.
Until next month, take care and stay safe…
Mike Corrigan, CEO – Interferry
Hello Ferry Fans,
April began with the Interferry team attending – and presenting at – another successful Shippax Ferry Conference onboard Gotlandsbolaget’s Nordic Pearl… and ends with a reminder that May 1st is the official opening of member registration for Interferry2025 taking place in Sorrento, Italy.
While much of my report this month is about the various aspects of our annual global conference taking place from October 4th to 8th – hosted by influential Interferry member, the Grimaldi Group, I also want to draw your attention to this month’s outcomes of the latest IMO MEPC session, as well as to improvements we have made to Interferry’s members-only database.
Finally, I proudly want to publicly announce – for the first time – our next Africa Ferry Safety Conference is set for June 25th and 26th in Nigeria, building off last year’s successful events in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Marrakech, Morocco.
Interferry2025 Member Registration Opens • Sponsorship and Exhibitions Waitlists • Call for Speakers Extension • Technical Tour Update
I’m pleased to announce that conference registration opens for Interferry members on May 1st, with an early bird discount available until end of day August 15th. Non-member registration opens on August 1st. With the unbelievable interest in this year’s conference, now more than ever it pays to be an Interferry member.
The demand to participate in Interferry2025 has never been more evident by the fact that five months before doors open we have essentially sold out of all sponsorships and exhibition spaces – except for two remaining Happy Hour packages – and are now building a sponsorship wait list. There still is a slight chance that we might be able to fit in one or two more late comers – so I encourage you to contact Karen Giffon as soon as possible to get your name on the list.
We have agreed to extend the deadline for our Call for Speakers to May 9th to accommodate those requesting a bit more time to finalize their submissions. We expect to announce our first roster of global ferry leaders within the next month or so. As in past years, we are confident that the “who’s who” of the ferry world will be on the main stage in Sorrento.
While we continue to focus on delivering a world-class Speakers Program, we are also equally aware of our delegates’ desires for a top-notch Technical Tour. With that goal in mind, I’m proud to provide details of this year’s event. The half-day Technical Tour on Wednesday, October 8th will start at the Port of Sorrento with a 45-minute sailing to the Port of Naples onboard Interferry member SNAV’s new ferry SNAV Sirius. Once in Naples, participants will enjoy a water tour of the massive port complex before disembarking at the port’s brand-new passenger ferry facility, which SNAV shares with three other fast ferry companies.
Participants will then have a short bus ride to the Grimaldi Group terminal located within the port for an onboard tour of one of their docked large ro/pax vessels. Participants will also tour and get an overview of the Grimaldi Group’s terminal operations.
After the Grimaldi Group tour is completed, participants will be provided with a quick lunch. Afterwards, delegates wishing to return to Sorrento will board SNAV Sirius for the trip back. Those wanting to go straight to the Naples Airport can do so via a bus provided by the Grimaldi Group.
You can check out the Technical Tour details here on the conference website.
Regulatory Update • MEPC 83 • GHG Fuel Intensity Targets
Johan Roos, our Director of Regulatory Affairs, from April 7th to 11th attended the 83rd session of IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83), the outcome of which surprisingly didn’t call for a global fuel levy. However, a new fuel standard for ships and a global pricing mechanism for emissions was agreed, although a global fuel standard may still be challenged.
As part of the global fuel standard, ships must reduce, over time, their annual greenhouse gas fuel intensity (GFI). Long story short, this is how much GHG is emitted for each unit of energy used. This is calculated using a well-to-wake approach. Ships emitting above GFI thresholds will have to acquire remedial units to balance their deficit emissions, while those using zero or near-zero GHG technologies will be eligible for financial rewards. To ensure compliance, two GHG Fuel Intensity targets will apply: a Base Target and a Direct Compliance Target at which ships would be eligible to earn “surplus units”. Ships that emit above the set thresholds can balance their emissions deficit by transferring surplus units from other ships; using surplus units they have already banked; or using remedial units acquired through contributions to the IMO Net-Zero Fund which will be established to collect pricing contributions from emissions.
These measures are set to be formally adopted during an extraordinary session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee to be held in October this year. They are expected to enter into force in 2027, 16 months after adoption in accordance with MARPOL articles.
Interferry Member Tips and Improvements to Our Members-only Database
If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you – especially those who are part of our supplier community – to review the recent Interferry “Member Tips” email from our Conference and Membership Manager Nicole Bond.
This is the first in a series of short updates explaining the value-added benefits that our members receive by being part of the Interferry family.
In a nutshell, Member Tip #1 explains how our members-only database can provide huge benefits to our members who want to find detailed company and contact information of other members.
It is worth noting that all the company and contact information in the database has been provided – and is administered – by each respective member company. I strongly encourage every member to review their information and to keep it up to date in order to take full advantage of this networking opportunity. If you need a refresher, that will be covered in Member Tip #2 which will go out in a few weeks.
Keep an eye out for that email and more member tips to come!
Africa Ferry Safety Conference • Lagos, Nigeria • June 25th and 26th
In next month’s report I will share the details of our next Africa Ferry Safety Conference which is part of our ongoing FerrySafe initiative. The conference will take place in Lagos, Nigeria and will be co-hosted by Interferry members Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA). It should be quite the event with about 180 to 200 participants from the region and I’m looking forward to keeping you updated.
Well, that wraps up my report for April. Thanks for reading, and I hope you found it informative. As always, I appreciate your feedback and look forward to answering any questions you may have.
Until next month, take care and stay safe…
Mike Corrigan – CEO, Interferry
Hello Ferry Fans,
There’s a lot to tell you about this month! During March, the Interferry team was busy in Brussels hosting an Operators Policy Committee meeting and participating in the European Shipping Summit 2025 (ESS), travelling to Sorrento, Italy to make final arrangements for Interferry2025 and also to Mariehamn, Åland to to meet with conference host Viking Line and continue planning for Interferry2027.
Also in this month’s report, I’m pleased to share with you our newly minted battery electric vehicle (BEV) safety brochure; draw your attention to the Ferry Business section published in Cruise and Ferry Review in partnership with Interferry; and provide a short overview of current happenings on the regulatory front.
Finally, in case you missed our recent announcement, I’m excited to remind you that our Interferry2025 Call for Speakers opened on April 1st.
European Shipping Summit 2025 • Onshore Power Supply (OPS) Interferry Seminar
Johan Roos and I hosted a very important seminar in Brussels for government officials and other decisionmakers on the importance of electrifying ports on an expedited basis – not only to meet the pending 2030 EU regulations – but more importantly it allows our industry to continue to achieve our zero emissions goal quicker than any other segment of shipping.
The panel discussion, moderated by Claes Berglund of Stena AB, featured Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary General of ESPO, Inesa Ulichina, Sustainable Shipping Officer at Transport & Environment and Jørgen Bjerre of the European Commission. The event drew numerous policy makers and regulatory stakeholders from the European Parliament and Commission, alongside ferry and shipping executives.
We continue to drive home the point that some of the billions of Euros collected as part of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) should be reallocated to ports across Europe to help them to achieve this lofty electrification goal. The challenge now seems to be how to tap into the fund that the EU allocates individually to its Member States (European Union countries).
We think the only possible way to meet the 2030 goal is for the Member States and the EU to prioritize OPS funding to ports based on their size and the number of potential ferries that will be able to connect. This will require close collaboration between port authorities, utility companies and local municipalities.
March Operators Policy Committee (OPC) Meeting
A productive OPC meeting consisting of Interferry’s largest 22 operators was held in Brussels on March 19th, chaired by Paul Kyprianou of the Grimaldi Group. The meeting provided an update on the regulatory files which included exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers), sewage treatment systems, carriage of new energy vehicles, EU border issues, Light Craft Code, and GHG deliberations at the IMO. With regards to the GHG file – arguably the most important – we are awaiting the outcome of the IMO’s MEPC 83 meeting in April so we can update our members. Please see the Regulatory portion of this update for more information.
Ferry Business Section in Cruise and Ferry Review Magazine
The Ferry Business section in the Spring/Summer 2025 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review magazine is replete with interviews and articles highlighting the ferry industry.
Features include:
My introductory column discussing how Interferry is taking the lead on sustainability and continuing to work with ferry operators and other industry stakeholders worldwide to spearhead the transition to net zero operations.
Société des traversiers du Québec’s Greta Bédard discusses with Philippe Holthof the Canadian ferry operator’s plans to improve its fleet, operational performance and both the passenger and employee experience.
Alex Smith writes about rapid advancements in battery technology that have enabled global ferry operators to place it at the centre of their strategies for building sustainable fleets. Featured companies include Artemis Technologies, BC Ferries, Red Funnel Ferries Limited, and Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.
Damen, Incat Tasmania and Wärtsilä Marine discuss their respective roles in building the battery-powered ferry fleet of the future.
Stena Line’s Paul Grant tells Simon Johnson F Inst TT about his role in expanding his company’s Irish Sea business and reveals what’s next for the ferry operator.
Hornblower Group’s new CEO, Mike Flaskey, talks with Michele Witthaus about his plans for the passenger shipping side of the business as the company emerges from choppy financial waters.
Wightlink’s Katy Taylor discusses with Justin Merrigan how the ferry operator is strengthening ties with the Isle of Wight and progressing its vision for an all-electric fleet.
Interferry’s Director of Regulatory Affairs Johan Roos outlines how Interferry is lobbying the IMO to ensure that the regulatory body considers the unique operational requirements of the ferry industry when developing and implementing environmental and safety regulations.
You can read the latest Ferry Business section here on the Cruise and Ferry website.
BEV Safety Brochure • “E-cars on Board – A Safe Passage”
I’m pleased to announce that in an effort to help educate the general public – and passengers – about questions regarding BEVs on board ferries, we have developed a brochure that our members can print and distribute on their vessels. “E-cars on Board – A Safe Passage” provides answers to seven frequently asked questions about BEVs and fire safety on ferries.
E-cars or battery electric vehicles (BEVs) play a crucial role in adapting the global mobility system to non-fossil fuels. In 2023, every fifth car sold worldwide was a BEV, with a total of more than 40 million e-cars on the road worldwide. With the increasing share of BEVs, ferry companies are confronted with the question of how to adapt their safety strategy to accommodate a potential higher fire risk.
The answer is simple; there is no higher risk of fire from BEVs compared to any other vehicle on board, be it an ICEV, camper, caravan or cargo trailer, including those containing hazardous goods shipped on ferry decks. Our brochure helps communicate the facts in a clear and straightforward manner.
The official brochure announcement will be sent via the Interferry News and a news release which will both go out on April 8th. We will include how members can download the press-ready PDF complete with printing instructions.
Regulatory Update
During the first two weeks of April, the IMO is set to conclude on the details of its GHG strategy, potentially agreeing to a global levy on bunker fuels and to introduce a gradual reduction of carbon content in energy used by ships. However, there are many hurdles to overcome. As the IMO is a consensus-driven organization, the outcome of MEPC 83 is very hard to predict. The IMO Secretary General has jokingly warned the member states that he wouldn’t “let them out of the building” until they had reached an agreement. While the shipping industry just wishes for the new rules to get in place, there are vastly different views between the member states on what those rules should be.
From Interferry’s point of view, introducing limitations on carbon content in energy used by ships makes sense and we would argue that no other regulatory requirements are actually needed. Having the IMO to collect large amounts of money to finance the production of new clean fuels seems like a very roundabout way of doing things. The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) has clearly demonstrated that governments are much better at collecting money rather than re-distributing it.
Interferry2025 • Hotel and Venue
Nicole Bond, Shari Corrigan and I paid a final visit to Sorrento before our conference this October. I’m pleased to report that everything is in order for another marquee event on the beautiful Italian coastline. The Hilton Sorrento Palace and the adjoining Congress Center are in great shape after recent renovations.
Our world-class tours to Capri, Pompei and the Amalfi Coast are now confirmed and surely to sell out quickly, so don’t wait to sign up once member registration opens on May 1st! Where else can you get front of the line access to these to top tourist destinations, while at the same time taking in our global ferry conference experience?
While in Sorrento, we travelled an hour to Naples to meet with conference hosts, the Grimaldi Group, at their head office to finalize arrangements for the Technical Tour and board dinner. The entire Grimaldi team – comprised of Interferry President Guido Grimaldi, Interferry Director Emanuele Grimaldi and OPC Chairman Paul Kyprianou – are extremely proud to host our annual event in the Campania region of Italy.
The Interferry2025 Call for Speakers is Open
As Interferry2025 is approaching fast, we have just announced our Call for Speakers. This year’s conference theme is all about ‘Connections’. We believe ‘Connections’ perfectly encapsulates the essence of the ferry industry. Whether it’s bridging geographical gaps, enhancing customer experiences, or driving technological innovation, connectivity is at the heart of what we do. We look forward to welcoming a diverse array of speakers who will contribute to a truly insightful and impactful conference.
We are seeking presentations that address a variety of critical areas such as Community Connections; Passenger Experience; Technological Integration; Sustainable Connections; and Employee Connectivity. These very relevant topics will undoubtedly contribute to insightful discussions on the stage.
Complete details are available on the submissions portal page on InterferryConference.com.
Thanks for reading my update this month.
For those of you attending the Shippax Ferry Conference 25 from April 2nd to the 4th… Interferry Chairman Tim Mooney, Shari Corrigan and I look forward to seeing you on board the Nordic Pearl and hope that you can take in our presentation during the conference.
Until next month, take care and stay safe…
Mike Corrigan – CEO, Interferry
Greetings Ferry Friends,
In this month’s report I’m excited to announce the theme of Interferry2025 in Sorrento, Italy; report on our recent Interferry Board of Directors meeting in Cancún, Mexico; and remind you to submit your GHG reducing projects to our Ferry Sustainable Showcase portal.
I would also like to draw your attention to our upcoming March Operators Policy Committee (OPC) meeting in Brussels, as well as our Onshore Power Supply (OPS) event we will host in Brussels as part of the 2025 European Shipping Summit (ESS).
And, last but not least, I would like to thank two departing Interferry directors for their contributions to our overall success.
Make “Connections” at Interferry2025
We think nothing better describes the ferry industry than this year’s conference theme of “Connections”. Whether it’s connecting with communities, connecting families and friends, connecting with your employees, connecting to the power grid or making sure your customer interface systems and your passengers have connectivity – “Connections” are key.
When our Call for Speakers is issued in March, we will ask for presentations on any of those topics that will educate and inform our delegates in Sorrento. So, put your thinking caps on and make sure you hit the mark because the competition to be on the main stage will be fierce.
Speaking of Interferry2025… based on the increased interest and number of inquiries we are receiving regarding our 49th annual conference, it’s not surprising that we are getting close to selling out most of our sponsorship packages. If you are interested in supporting Interferry and participating as a sponsor and/or exhibitor, please contact our Sponsorship Manager Karen Giffonas soon as you can. Complete sponsorship information is available on the conference website.
On a related note, we will open registration to Interferry members on May 1st. Registration for non-members opens on July 1st. Early bird pricing for members and non-members is available through August 15th. Check the conference website for complete registration information or contact our Conference and Membership Manager Nicole Bond.
Winter Interferry Board Meeting • Cancún
I’m pleased to report that the Interferry Board had another successful meeting on February 14th in Cancun, hosted by Mauricio Orozco of Ultramar Ferry. Prior to the meeting, board members were treated to an educational technical tour of Ultramar’s impressive operations.
At the meeting, in addition to recapping Interferry’s many successes in 2024, the budget and management objectives for 2025 were approved as we continue to implement Interferry’s 2024-2026 Strategic Plan “All Aboard”.
Also confirmed in Cancún was that the next board meeting will be Genoa, Italy on June 13th and 14th, hosted by Matteo Catani of GNV. In addition, the board directed management to begin the selection process for the North American location and host for the Interferry2028 conference, with the selection to be finalized by the end of 2025.
Interferry’s Ferry Sustainable Showcase
As we recently announced, in an effort to let the rest of the world – especially government officials and key decision makers – know how the ferry industry is leading the shipping industry in the push toward zero emissions, we have launched the Ferry Sustainable Showcase submission portal on Interferry.com.
In order to make this initiative as successful as possible, we need your help! Please send us your projects – using the portal – in any format (PPT, video, PDF, etc.) and we will take care of the rest. It’s in the best interests of the Interferry membership to participate in the showcase if we want to see the investment and shoreside infrastructure required for accelerated onshore power supply (OPS) development.
Complete details and instructions for submitting your project can be found on the showcase portal page. Please contact Business Manager Jakki Corrigan if you have any questions.
Brussels OPC Meeting and the 2025 European Shipping Summit (ESS)
Our first OPC meeting of 2025 will be held in the afternoon of March 19th in conjunction with the ESS. This is one of three OPC meetings held each year that sets the priorities for our Regulatory Office which is managed by our Regulatory Affairs Director Johan Roos. The timing for this meeting is excellent given the many IMO sessions taking place in the first quarter of 2025.
During the morning of March 19th, as part of the ESS, Interferry will co-host a side-event along with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), focusing on what can be done to expedite the rapid advancement of OPS development. This one-hour panel will feature government officials and industry advocates discussing and debating a critical link in our chain to attaining our zero emissions goal.
Thanks to Our Departing Directors
To conclude my update this month, I would like to thank Interferry Directors David Sopta of Jadrolinija and Heidi Wolden of Norled for their dedication and commitment to Interferry over the years. Heidi and David have both left their respective companies and resigned from the Interferry Board. We wish them well in their future endeavors.
Thanks for reading and I hope to see many of you in Brussels in March.
Until next time, take care and stay safe…
Mike Corrigan – CEO, Interferry
Hello Ferry Fans,
I hope that 2025 is treating you well so far.
The Interferry team had a busy start to the new year with Shari Corrigan and I visiting Bangkok, Thailand – the site of Interferry2026, our 50th anniversary conference. While in Asia we also took the opportunity to travel to Indonesia to meet with Interferry member ASDP Indonesia Ferry and tour their operations.
Concurrently, Interferry’s Regulatory Affairs Director Johan Roos had a productive session in London at the IMO’s 11th session of the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 11) which dealt with Safe Return to Port (SRtP) legislation.
I wrapped up the month by flying to Savannah, Georgia to participate in the US’ Passenger Vessel Association’s MariTrends 2025 conference.
February is expected to be equally as busy with Johan participating in the IMO deliberations on Pollution Control and then Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships. The first Interferry Board of Directors meeting of 2025 is on February 13 and 14 in Cancun, Mexico, which will be hosted by Interferry Director Mauricio Orozco of Ultramar. In parallel, our Regulatory Committee Chair Captain John Garner will represent Interferry and the the ferry industry at the IMO deliberations on the review of the STCW Convention.
In this month’s report – in addition to providing a bit more background on the aforementioned topics – I would like to draw your attention to our recently launched Ferry Sustainable Showcase portal, and also to whet your appetite for Interferry2025, this year’s global ferry gathering.
The Ferry Sustainable Showcase Portal
The goal of the Ferry Sustainable Showcase is to promote how the global ferry industry is leading the way towards a sustainable maritime future by providing an easily accessible collection of projects – not only for our maritime community, but also for the mainstream media and the general public.
To get started, we need your help. The Ferry Sustainable Showcase submission portal is open, and Interferry operator members are invited to submit examples of how their organization is prioritizing sustainability, environmental stewardship and decarbonization. We also want to highlight sustainable ship construction and interiors, as well as shoreside projects and related practices that will lead to a greener future. Other examples include projects where sustainability is achieved, or operational efficiency of vessels is greatly improved, through use of software, technology, automation and/or AI.
Suppliers are encouraged to submit joint projects with operator members that show tangible utilization of their technology along with actual (in service) or projected (newbuild projects) increases in efficiency and carbon reduction.
Complete submission details are here on the showcase portal webpage.
Regulatory Update • Safe Return to Port (SRtP)
As pointed out above, Johan attended SDC 11, the main focus of which was the revision of SRtP provisions. With the kind support of Stena Teknik’s Hans Tistrand, we managed to steer the discussion to an agreeable outcome although the work will only be finalised during next year’s SDC 12.
During the session, the focus was on the applicability of the draft revised Explanatory Notes as the Correspondence Group version didn’t make a clear distinction between existing ships and new ships. Interferry argued that retroactive application should be avoided, which was duly confirmed by the chair of the Working Group.
Mandatory SRtP training/drill and qualifications were also on the table and would be subject to Passenger Ship Survey Certification (PSSC). Interferry opposed and it was agreed that any training/drill had to be dealt with by the ongoing comprehensive review of STCW.
Interferry2026 • Bangkok
I’m pleased to report that plans are shaping up nicely for Interferry2026, our marquee event celebrating Interferry’s 50th annual conference. Interferry member Chao Phraya Express Boat will be an outstanding host, and the conference will be held at the beautiful Shangri-La Hotel on the banks of the mighty Chao Phraya River. All events will take place at venues along the river utilizing efficient waterborne transportation.
ASDP Indonesia Ferry Operations Tour
After our visit in Bangkok, we visited ASDP Indonesia Ferry, another influential Interferry operator member. A special thank you goes to their board of directors and management for hosting us at their head office in Jakarta and also for taking us on a tour of their operations, including their busiest run from Merak to Bakauheni and the island of Bali. It was clear from our visit that ASDP Indonesia Ferry fully embraces the concept of continuous improvement and is making major strides in a number of areas, including safety, employee engagement and asset renewal to name a few.
For the numbers geeks out there, here are a few stats that will surely impress you… as they did me! ASDP Indonesia Ferry operates 220 ferries on 309 routes using 37 ports. They employ 6,300 people and transport 21 million passengers and six million vehicles per year. This gives you an idea of the infrastructure required to support travel in Indonesia which is a country of 17,000 islands and home to 270 million people – making it the fourth most populated country in the world.
Passenger Vessel Association’s MariTrends 2025 Conference • Savannah, Georgia
It was great to see so many of Interferry’s US operator members, as well as our American and global suppliers, in Savannah last week at MariTrends 2025. As expected, in addition to the many sessions dealing with US Coast Guard regulations and related issues, there was a strong focus on decarbonization and electrification. Thanks to John Groundwater and his PVA team for a great event.
Interferry2025 • Sorrento, Italy • October 4 to 8
The Interferry team – along with host the Grimaldi Group – now has its sights firmly set on ensuring the success of our next global event this fall in beautiful Sorrento at the Hilton Sorrento Palace.
I’m pleased to say that we will open registration to members on May 1. Given the level of interest expressed by both our operator and supplier members, we fully expect to sell out of delegate registrations and sponsorships long before October approaches.
With regard to the Speakers Program, we expect to announce the theme within the next month or so, with the Call for Speakers announced not too long after that. Please watch for our Interferry News emails which will alert you to the exact dates.
Have a look on InterferryConference.com for current information about events, sponsorship, the venue, hotel and more. The website will be updated often in the coming weeks as final details are confirmed.
Well, that wraps things up for this month. It was fantastic to see so many of our American members in Savannah… it’s always great to get to the band back together!
Take care and sail safely…
Mike Corrigan – CEO, Interferry
Happy Holidays Ferry Fans,
As I get older, I keep finding myself repeating the same things that my parents said at my age, so here goes… it is hard to believe how quickly another year has come and gone. While in some ways it did seem to fly by, when I look back at all that we accomplished in 2024 maybe the calendar actually did have 365 days again this year!
In this month’s update, I would like to recap some of our many wins in 2024, introduce our new Ferry Sustainable Showcase, welcome our newest members and highlight key dates for 2025.
• Key Interferry Accomplishments in 2024 •
The Africa Ferry Safety Seminar (AFSS) in Tanzania and the Africa Ferry Safety Workshop (AFSW) in Morocco
I am extremely proud of the significant advancements we made on the domestic ferry safety front in 2024. While it is fair to say that we have only just begun this journey by co-hosting the AFSS with the IMO and following up with our own AFSW, we have established partnerships and relationships that set the Interferry team on the right path to fulfill our strategic priority of improving ferry safety in the developing world.
We are excited to continue this journey and are in active discussions with the IMO and Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) regarding co-hosting another safety event in Nigeria during the first half of 2025.
Regulatory Wins
Interferry’s Regulatory Affairs Director Johan Roos always gets nervous when I categorize our many accomplishments on the regulatory front as “wins”. However, I think it is necessary to highlight Johan’s efforts at the IMO, along with strong Interferry member support. Johan’s work has led to an increased understanding amongst regulatory decision-makers of the unique characteristics of ferries and ferry operations – as opposed to other shipping sectors – that need to be taken into account when finalizing regulations.
In other words, by curtailing or modifying regulations that would force our members to spend hundreds of millions of euros/dollars to comply with regulations clearly not meant for ferry operations – or doing anything meaningful to reduce shipping’s carbon footprint – Interferry’s influence has provided an exponential return on investment on the annual fees that our members pay.
Most notably in 2024, through our active involvement in the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) file, we successfully convinced regulators at the IMO that the CII formula unduly harmed ferries more than any other shipping segment. Our intervention, coupled with broader industry concern for CII, led to the postponement of the regulation from 2026 to at least 2030, with the real possibility that it will never really have any form of an enforcement component.
Another big win for us during the year was finally being able to convince regulators of the difference between ro-pax and ro-ro ferries versus Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs) when it comes to the carriage of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). While a battery fire in a BEV can be difficult to extinguish, we are confident that the recommended approach to handling BEV fire incidents on a ferry is a sound one: contain the fire via drenchers and return to port to have it extinguished by professional fire-fighters (given that ferries are able to instantaneously activate their seawater drencher systems). Fundamentally, there is no principal difference between a hard-to-extinguish BEV fire and a hard-to-extinguish trailer fire. Our systems are designed to contain fires and they do that very well.
Interferry2024 • Marrakech, Morocco
While it might not seem to be a big deal now that we have come and gone, it really was a momentous event in 2018 when the Interferry board made the decision to award our global conference to the African continent for the first time in our 48-year history.
Since I recapped the conference in my November update, I won’t go into too much detail here other than to say that Interferry2024 in Marrakech turned out to be one of our most successful conferences on many fronts, including attendance and delegate engagement. It truly was a memorable experience and was the catalyst to Interferry’s engagement on the domestic ferry safety front in Africa.
I’d like to offer a special thanks to the many of you who followed us to Africa and had the confidence in our ability to deliver another world-class event in a new land. We truly are a family and stronger together.
Interferry2027 • Mariehamn, Åland
We were pleased to report that during the year the Interferry Board of Directors unanimously approved Mariehamn as the location of our global event in 2027, with long-time operator member Viking Line serving as host.
The beautiful Åland Islands truly are the epicentre of ferries in the Baltic, with five international ferry companies connecting Sweden, Finland and Estonia, as well as the numerous ferry runs that provide lifeline services to the region’s archipelago.
The Ferry Sustainable Showcase • We Need Your Help!
If you have not already heard the news, I would like to draw your attention to our plans for the Ferry Sustainable Showcase, a new initiative that will celebrate and communicate the many ways in which the global ferry industry is leading the way towards a sustainable maritime future. As we continue to push for funding and infrastructure to electrify our industry, it is imperative that decision makers and the general public are made aware of the leadership role that the ferry sector is taking in the push for zero emissions.
We are strongly encouraging our operator and supplier members to submit their zero-emission projects and solutions to be included in the showcase. In fact, we think that joint submissions from operators and their suppliers demonstrating how they are successfully working together will be the most impactful.
The first step is for us to collect the information about your projects, and we have set up the Ferry Sustainable Showcase submission portal on Interferry.com for that purpose. Please read through the information on that page, and if you need any further help, ideas or clarification feel free to drop Business Manager Jakki Papps an email at jakki.papps@interferry.com.
Welcome to our Newest Members
| Africa Morocco Link
AST Reygar Bluetech Finland Chartwell Marine FERRYHOPPER SA Go Shipping & Management Inc. Golden Gate Ferry Grifone Shipbrokers Hydromaster Propulsion Lighthouse Drew Lipner (individual) |
| MariApps Marine Solutions Europe
Marine Charging Point North Sea Offshore Technology (Yantai) Co., Ltd Port of Helsinki R&M Marine Interior Turnkey Company (Shanghai) Ltd. Servogear AS Shipping Corporation of Zanzibar (SHIPCO) VesselsValue VID FIREKILL WMS (Wireless Maritime Services) |
Key Dates for 2025
While not an exhaustive list, here are some key dates to add to your calendar for the upcoming year.
January 27–30: Passenger Vessel Association of America (PVA) Conference – Savannah, Georgia
February 13–14: Interferry Board Meeting – Cancun, Mexico
March 19–20: OPC meeting and European Shipping Summit – Brussels, Belgium
April 2–4: Shippax Ferry Conference 2025 – Copenhagen, Denmark
June 13–14: Interferry Board Meeting – Split, Croatia
July: OPC virtual meeting – date and time TBD
October 4: Interferry Board Meeting – Sorrento, Italy
October 4–8: Interferry2025 Conference – Sorrento, Italy
November 2–4: Canadian Ferry Association Conference – Quebec City, Canada
Fall 2025: OPC meeting – date, time and location TBD
As you can see, next year is already shaping up to be busy and productive. For Interferry’s Conference and Finance Director Shari Corrigan and myself, the work will begin in early January when we fly to Bangkok, Thailand to continue preparation for Interferry2026, our 50th annual conference.
Afterwards, we will continue to Indonesia where we will be hosted by Interferry operator member PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry and tour some of their massive operation which includes over 200 ferries, 300 routes and 36 ports across the country.
As we conclude 2024, I would like to express my appreciation for your support and encouragement over the past year, as we continue to fight the good fight and be the voice of the worldwide ferry industry.
Here’s wishing you and your loved ones a Ferry Merry Holiday Season!
Mike Corrigan – CEO, Interferry
Hello Ferry Fans,
It was fantastic to see so many of you in Marrakech at Interferry2024, our 48th annual global conference. Based on survey results and other feedback we have received, we were able to successfully deliver another world-class event for our first foray onto the African continent… despite the long lines at the airport!
In addition to providing some after-conference follow up, in this month’s report I would like to provide you with an overview of our regulatory agenda for the reminder of the year, highlight our recent Operators Policy Committee meeting in Lisbon, Portugal, as well as report on my visit to a local Portuguese operator.
Interferry2024 Marrakech • Presentation Videos and Event Photo Galleries
As with past conferences, we are pleased to be able to provide our memberswith the ability to view our entire Speakers Program via this link. We have found that this provides great value to our delegates who would like to see some sessions of the program once again and/or show them to their team as an educational/training initiative. It is also a value-added feature for members who would like to watch the program but were unable to attend our event in Morocco. Videos are available for each session, separated by presentation, and include the Q&A periods. PDFs of the presentations are included where appropriate.
The flash videos from our Platinum and Gold sponsors are also included, so please make sure you have a look at those as well.
Last but not least, the conference photo galleries are also online. The photos include the conference sessions as well as the various conference events. Here’s the link to the galleries for your viewing pleasure.
The Next Couple of Months on the Regulatory Front
During the first week of December, we will be involved in the 109th session of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), supporting further refinement of SOLAS, which is the basis for all maritime safety regulations. Overall, we believe that the safety regulations for international ferry operations, and those in developed countries, are in very good shape. That is one of the reasons we are getting more and more involved in developing ferry safety in Africa and other parts of the world where we still frequently see accidents.
Following the main Safety Committee meeting in December, the IMO sub-committees convene in January through March. Interferry is heavily engaged in the development of new technical requirements for carriage of ‘new energy vehicles’ (e.g. electric and hydrogen cars), but we would also like to stress the importance that training is kept up to date with this development, where we want to make sure that ship crews are familiar with the various risks of the ever-more complex mix of cargoes on our ro-ro decks.
OPC Meeting • November 14 • Lisbon
OPC Chair Paul Kyprianou and Interferry’s Regulatory Affairs Director Johan Roos hosted another successful meeting for our senior committee that sets the strategic regulatory direction for Interferry regarding the IMO and the EU. The meeting opened with Maja Markovčić Kostelac, Executive Director of the European Maritime Safety Agency (which is headquartered in Lisbon) who addressed the 16 attendees, followed by a Q&A session. The meeting continued with a full agenda that included updates from Johan and roundtable discussions on: Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems; the IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII); the IMO’s GHG mid-term measures; the IMO’s Carriage of Electric Vehicles; Light Craft Code Modifications; and EES/ETIAS issues.
The last agenda item for the OPC meeting was to agree on Interferry’s role at the next European Shipping Summit 2025 (ESS), which is organized by European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), of which Interferry is a member. As proposed by management, it was agreed that Interferry would host a panel as a side-event to the ESS on March 19th, with the theme “Shore Power offers immediate carbon compliance for the ferry sector – but are we on track?”.
The central focus of the panel will be to highlight our ongoing concerns for the ferry industry including: the availability of enough shoreside power for electric ferries to fully charge batteries; who will pay for the high-power connections (considering that some ports require utility upgrades all the way back to transmission and generation stations); and probably the biggest question of all – how will EU ETS funds collected from the maritime industry go back to the maritime industry in order to make all this happen?
The panel will include a cross section of interested parties and decision makers, including an EU MP (MEP), an EU Commission representative, as well as other complementary industry association representatives, and will be moderated by OPC member Claes Berglund of Stena AB.
It was also decided by the committee to have the next OPC meeting on March 19th in Brussels, with the start time depending on what time of day our panel takes place.
My Visit to TTSL – Transtejo Soflusa • Lisbon
A special thanks goes to Alexandra Ferreira de Carvalho, President of TTSL – Transtejo Soflusa, for providing me with a tour of their impressive ferry operations on the Tagus River in Lisbon. TTSL’s shift to zero emissions is noteworthy with five vessels already operating solely on batteries and five more to come. We look forward to welcoming TTSL – Transtejo Soflusa as a member in 2025.
Well, that wraps up this month’s report. Once again, it was great to see so many of you in Morocco. I only wish I had more time to stop and chat!
As always, I look forward to your comments and/or questions regarding the conference or anything else Interferry related.
Until next time, take care and stay safe…
Mike Corrigan – CEO, Interferry
Hi Ferry Fans,
Well, it’s hard to believe that our first global conference on the African continent is now less than a month away – and all indications are pointing towards another marquee and sold-out event!
As expected, the majority of the Interferry team’s energy over the past month – as well as that of host Ronny Moriana Glindemann and his DFDS team – has been focused on delivering another world-class event in Marrakech. Somehow, Interferry’s Director of Regulatory Affairs Johan Roos found the time to travel to Halifax, Nova Scotia to address the Canadian ferry community, and also to London to represent our industry at the IMO’s “Carriage of Cargos and Containers” deliberations, where the transportation of battery electric vehicles was debated.
Interferry2024 • Marrakech, Morocco • October 26 – 30
As I write this update, we now have just a handful of registration spots available – with the Monday night reception already sold out! Also, there is very limited availability on peak nights at the Mövenpick Marrakech – our conference hotel – so if you want to be where the “who’s who” of the global ferry community will gather, I encourage you to act quickly.
For those of you who have already registered, here are some events you may want to consider participating in at Interferry2024, if you haven’t already signed up…
• The OSK Design Golf Tournament at the beautiful Fairmont Royal Palm Golf & Country Club tees off on Sunday morning, October 27. Join your peers for a great day of golf, where passion for the game meets the spirit of friendly competition.
• The IMS Marrakech Run Crew takes place Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings before the start of the conference day. The planned routes allow you to choose your distance and pace, so you can set out in company of a like-minded group and enjoy the sights and sounds of Marrakech. Sign up soon to get your free IMS Marrakech Run Crew T-shirt!
• The Interferry2024 DFDS Technical Tour will be another unforgettable event as we travel from Marrakech, Morocco to Tarifa, Spain during this unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience. We have managed to free up a few extra spots on the Technical Tour, so reserve your spot soon!
• Last but not least, there are some great Pretours and Partner Tours available. Check out the webpages for complete information.
Africa Ferry Safety Workshop at Interferry2024
Building on the success of the Africa Ferry Safety Seminar held in Dar es Salaam during April, we will host a half-day follow-up invitation-only Africa Ferry Safety Workshop in Marrakech in conjunction with Interferry2024.
Promoting the highest standards in domestic ferry safety has been a key strategic objective of Interferry for many years. Through collaboration with African ferry leaders, we aim to create a comprehensive Africa Ferry Safety Program that will improve safety standards across the continent and contribute to reducing the high level of incidents in some of its states. The workshop in Marrakech will be a strategic planning exercise, utilizing roundtable discussions to prioritize initiatives identified through post-seminar surveys. Participants will then work together to explore ways that Interferry can support the implementation of these initiatives.
This October 30th event will bring together African ferry operators and regulators with a focus on practical solutions and potential initiatives including: fostering best practices sharing through networking events; enhancing crew training and capacity building; and supporting the use of technology to improve safety and operational efficiency. The positive spirit and commitment at the Africa Ferry Safety Seminar in Dar es Salaam was truly inspiring, and this follow-up workshop allows us to leverage that momentum and work together to tackle the challenges of ferry safety in Africa.
Interview with Ripple Operations
I recently had the opportunity to sit down – virtually – with Bertine Kviteberg of Ripple Operations to talk about the upcoming Interferry2024 conference in Marrakech. Click here to see the complete interview.
Regulatory Update
Later this month, our Director of Regulatory Affairs Johan Roos will share a regulatory update when he returns from this week’s 82nd session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 82). For now, I’d like to focus on the Carriage of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and give you a heads-up of what’s on the agenda of MEPC 82.
After five years of deliberations and a final revision of IMO rules in 2022, we were of the opinion that there was a general consensus that the carriage of BEVs on ro-pax vehicle decks posed a different but not higher risk than vehicles with an internal combustion engine. Apparently, following a number of BEV-related fire incidents on Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs), the IMO is addressing the carriage of BEVs once again. It has cost us blood, sweat and tears explaining the difference between a ro-pax ferry and a PCTC. While a battery fire in a BEV is difficult to extinguish indeed, the approach to fire incidents on ferries is to contain the fire and return to port to have it extinguished by professional fire-fighters similar to a fire in a trailer which is sometimes as difficult to extinguish at sea.
Our stance is that seawater drencher systems on ro-pax ferries are perfectly capable of containing a BEV fire. We keep spreading the word to all stakeholders concerned.
During this week’s MEPC 82, the IMO Greenhouse Gas Fuel Standard (GFS), Financial Mechanism and the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) are discussed among other topics. GFS is a requirement for continuous reduction of the carbon content of energy used on board ships, very much along the same lines as the FuelEU Maritime carbon requirements that will enter into force next year. Many stakeholders are pushing for the IMO to link the GFS to a financial contribution system, seeking to minimize the cost differential between zero and near-zero GHG emission fuels compared to traditional fuels, and to use some of the generated revenue to support a fair and equitable transition for all member states. When it comes to CII, a regulation that is already in force but not enforced yet, we keep arguing that it is not possible to regulate ro-pax and ro-ro ferries’ operational efficiency, as there are too many parameters that are out of the operator’s control. In short, CII penalizes port visits and time spent at quay, which is unfair for all segments, but totally unacceptable for ferries. But more on that in Johan’s next regulatory update!
Canadian Ferry Association Conference • Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
From September 8-10, Interferry staff including Johan Roos; Conference and Membership Manager Nicole Bond; and Business Manager Jakki Papps attended the 2024 Canadian Ferry Association Conference in beautiful Halifax, Nova Scotia. Our team took the opportunity to connect with our Canadian operator members including: BC Ferries, Hullo Ferries, Owen Sound Transportation, Northumberland/Bay Ferries, Seaspan Ferries, Marine Atlantic, Groupe CTMA and Société des traversiers du Québec, as well as many of our valued supplier members.
Johan presented to delegates how Interferry’s work at the IMO positively impacted Canadian ferry operators. As expected, sustainability and innovation remained at forefront of the conversation throughout the conference, with many examples of how Canadian operators were building the next generation of vessels for a greener future.
Johan Roos presenting at CFA.
L to R: Niclas Blomström and Maria Åkersten of member company Hogia; Johan Roos and Nicole Bond of Interferry; Meghan Raza of member company EMCS Industries; and John Bertell of member company Carus.
That’s it for this month. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you in Marrakech very soon!
P.S. I will not send an update in October due to the conference, but I look forward to reporting back to you in November.
Safe travels and take care,
Mike Corrigan – CEO, Interferry
CEO Update • August 2024 • CFA Conference; Ferry Business; World Maritime Day; Interferry2024 Update
Hello Ferry Fans,
The month of August proved to be pleasantly busy as we attended to conference registrations and sponsorship activities, and both are expected to remain brisk with the September 14 Early Bird registration deadline rapidly approaching.
As for September, our travel schedule will pick up as some of our team travel to participate in the Canadian Ferry Association’s (CFA) annual conference in Nova Scotia.
In addition to highlighting key Interferry2024 conference activities in this update, I’m pleased to be able to present the latest Ferry Business section in the Autumn/Winter 2024 issue of Cruise and Ferry Review – published in association with Interferry – as well as draw your attention to the celebration of the IMO’s World Maritime Day which takes place on September 26.
Canadian Ferry Association Conference • Halifax, Canada • September 8-10, 2024
If you are attending CFA, the Canadian ferry industry’s marquee event in the beautiful east coast city of Halifax, I invite you to take in the presentation by Interferry’s Director of Regulatory Affairs Johan Roos. Johan will speak about a number of regulatory issues affecting all global ferry operations – whether domestic or international – and how Interferry represents our industry at the IMO and other regulatory bodies to ensure we receive fair and equitable treatment.
Accompanying Johan to Halifax to meet and mingle with Interferry members and conference delegates will be Interferry’s Membership and Conference Manager Nicole Bond, and Interferry’s Business Manager Jakki Papps. Please take the time to say hi to our team while they are in Nova Scotia.
The Ferry Business Section in Cruise and Ferry Review
Here’s a link to the Ferry Business section in the latest issue of Cruise and Ferry Review. Produced biannually in association with Interferry, the section highlights “movers and shakers” in our industry. In addition to my article about Interferry2024 in Marrakech and Interferry’s continued call for carbon tax revenues to be used to invest in onshore power supply, read about our following members…
Ronny Moriana Glindemann of FRS Iberia Maroc / DFDS explains how the Strait of Gibraltar ferry operator is becoming a fully integrated member of the ever-growing DFDS family.
Frederic Pouget, Arnaud Le Poulichet and Joëlle Croc detail how five new E-Flexer vessels are renewing Brittany Ferries’ fleet.
Steve Nevey relates how Washington State Ferries are proactively addressing issues posed by their aging vessels.
David Sopta of Jadrolinija describes how new ferries are helping deliver lifeline services for locals and enhancing tourism in Croatia.
Mary Ann Pastrana of Archipelago Philippine Ferries summarizes the company’s progress towards its ambitious vision of having 30 vessels in operation by 2030.
Mathieu Girardin discusses DFDS’s plans to invest in new technologies on the organization’s journey toward net zero.
Michael Grey, a respected mariner and journalist, explains how fleet standardization can help reduce ferry operators’ costs and simplify building new vessels.
International Maritime Organization World Maritime Day • September 26
By having consultative status at the IMO and actively participating in all relevant committee and working group sessions, Interferry is proud to help celebrate World Maritime Day and the theme “Navigating the Future: Safety First!”. It is not by coincidence that one of the themes of our Marrakech conference is safety… especially with our conference in Africa and having recently co-hosted the Africa Ferry Safety Seminar in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with the IMO.
It should not be lost on any of us the magnitude and influence the ferry industry has on the world economy – as can be seen in the graphic below illustrating a recent Oxford Economics Study commissioned by Interferry – and the absolute need to operate safely!
Interferry2024 Conference Update
OSK Design Golf Tournament
2024 marks the first year that OSK Design has taken the reins from Carus and will host our long-standing and fun golf event. I can confidently say that this year’s course, the Fairmont Royal Palm Golf and Country Club, is one of the best venues we’ve been afforded to play. Join us as we chase a little, white, non-hittable sphere while cursing and swearing for 18 holes!
Conference Early Bird Registration Ends September 14
All good things must come to an end – and so do the discounts for registering early for Interferry2024. In about two weeks’ time, it will cost a few hundred dollars more per delegate to sign up for the global ferry industry’s annual marquee event. Here’s a link to the conference registration page so you can minimize your costs while maximizing your enjoyment!
Expecting an Early Sell Out!
Based on our current registration activities and past trends, all indications are pointing towards another sold out event! As you may recall, we suspended registration a couple of weeks before our Interferry2023 in Hobart. It is very likely that this may happen again this year… so don’t miss out! This also applies securing a hotel room at the Mövenpick Marrakech as rooms are going fast!
Industry Leaders and Operators Attending Interferry2024
If you are considering attending but haven’t made up your mind, here’s a list of ferry operator members that have already signed up, with many more to come in the following weeks. I’m confident that there is no better opportunity to interact with key decision makers in the ferry industry on a global stage.
As I’ve said many times, if you’re a supplier to the ferry industry you can spend tens of thousands of dollars traveling around the world hoping to meet with one or two key decision makers from our operator membership… or you can spend a fraction of the cost and come to our annual conference where you’re guaranteed to rub shoulders with the industry’s “who’s who” in a relaxing and enjoyable environment.
The following ferry owners and operators will be represented at Interferry2024…
| Archipelago Philippines Ferries Corporation Attica Group Balearia BC Ferry Services Inc. Black Ball Transport Inc. Brittany Ferries Chao Phraya Express Boat Co., Ltd. Condor Ferries Limited CORSICA LINEA DFDS A/S Dream Ferries S.A. Fire Island Ferries Inc. FRS GmbH & Co. KG Grandi Navi Veloci Grimaldi Group Hornblower Group, Inc Indonesia Ferry Jadrolinija Liberty Lines Massachusetts Bay Lines Inc. |
| Moby Lines MSC Group Naviera Ocean GM SA DE CV Northumberland/Bay Ferries Limited Royal Doeksen San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ) Spirit of Tasmania Stena Line Stena RoRo Stena Teknik StraitNZ Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries Thames Clippers The Maritime Company For Navigation Virtu Ferries Ltd. Volta Lake Transport Company Wasaline Washington State Ferries |
Speakers Program • Safety, Security and Sustainability
And, last but not least, there’s our world-class Speakers Program with the theme of “Safety, Security and Sustainability” where you will learn about current trends, technologies and best practices in the ferry industry.
In closing, I cannot over-emphasize the need to act quickly to register for Interferry2024 and also to secure your Mövenpick Marrakech hotel room!
Until next month, take care and stay safe…
Mike Corrigan – CEO, Interferry
