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.
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
Hi Ferry Fans,
I’m writing this update on the way back home after a productive and enjoyable visit with our operator members in the New York area – which you will hear more about later in this report.
This month I’m pleased to be able to announce our full Speakers Program for Interferry2024 in Marrakech. In addition to the two Ferry Leaders Panels that wrap up each day of the program, I’m confident that with our two-day lineup of presenters and speakers, conference participants will leave Morocco much better informed and educated in all three areas of our conference theme – “Safety, Security, and Sustainability”.
Interferry2024 Speakers Program Overview
Speakers Program Day 1 • October 28
On the opening day of the 48th Annual Interferry Conference, the program will kick off with two well-respected industry keynote speakers. Bud Darr, Executive VP, Maritime Policy and Government Affairs for the MSC Group will provide a strategic overview of the conference themes relative to one of the largest shipping companies in the world – including his take on how greenhouse gas regulations are affecting the maritime industry and how MSC is addressing these challenges and opportunities.
Next up will be Sotiris Raptis, Secretary General of the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA). Sotiris will enlighten the audience on his association’s key areas of focus with the European Union officials in Brussels that are relative to our conference themes. He will also provide an overview of how ECSA and Interferry work together for the benefit of the ferry industry.
Following our keynote addresses, Interferry’s Director of Regulatory Affairs Johan Roos will discuss Interferry’s top regulatory priorities while engaging the perspectives of fellow industry experts and leaders from member companies in a conversational panel format.
The afternoon sessions will dive into security topics with presentations on cybersecurity and physical security, as well as a closer look into some alternative fueling solutions, before closing out the day with the first Ferry Leaders Panel of the conference which will feature large vessel operators.
Speakers Program Day 2 • October 29
The second day of the program will begin with a regional spotlight session focusing on the African continent. Delegates will hear an update on the first-ever successful Africa Ferry Safety Seminar and learn about Interferry’s overall strategy to encourage domestic ferry safety in the developing world. Following this update, we are proud to welcome leaders from throughout Africa to the main stage to showcase their respective organization’s commitments to improving safety and sustainability in the region.
As environmental regulations continue to tighten, operators are looking to build vessels as sustainably and cost-effectively as possible. The mid-morning session will explore building the next generation of sustainable vessels from the perspectives of shipbuilders, designers and operators.
The future of battery-electric solutions and alternative fuels for powering ferries and the vehicles they carry is a timely and popular topic. The afternoon session will explore the fire and safety considerations for building and powering the electric vessels of the future, as well as the transportation of battery-powered vehicles onboard.
Delegates will once again be enlightened and inspired by the thoughtful conversations during the closing Ferry Leaders Panel which will feature small to medium-sized vessel operators.
Click here to see the full program along with the speaker’s bios.
Conference Hotel Filling Fast as the Early Bird Deadline Draws Near
We have been advised by the Mövenpick Hotel Marrakech that our dedicated block of rooms is filling up fast – so please act quickly to avoid being disappointed. Click here to see the hotel registration information.
On a related note, our early bird reservation deadline ends next month on September 14. There is no better time than now to save on your conference registration costs and guarantee your room for Morocco.
And, on a final note, our once-in-a-lifetime Technical Tour which includes a charter plane flight and Strait of Gibraltar ferry crossing courtesy of conference host, DFDS, now has just a handful of spots left!
Limited Sponsorship and Exhibition Spaces Remain
On the sponsorship side of things, we have very few exhibition spaces remaining. So, if you’re interested in presenting your products and/or services at the conference, check out the Sponsorship Information page as soon as possible to find out about the remaining sponsorship options.
Conference Registration Opens to Non-members on August 1
With registration being available to Interferry members for two months, it is now time to open it to anyone who wants to join us in Morocco. As of August 1, we are pleased to accept registrations from industry participants who are not Interferry members. History has proven that many of these new attendees will become part of the Interferry family once they participate in their first conference and see the value of membership.
New York Member Operators Visit
Since our travel schedule is usually so hectic in the fall, winter and spring, we don’t like to stray too far from our Vancouver Island home during the summer. However, this year proved to be a welcomed exception as Interferry’s Director of Conferences and Finance Shari Corrigan and I had the pleasure of visiting many of our operator members in the New York area.
We were first hosted by Tim Mooney, Interferry Chairman and CEO of Fire Island Ferries. Tim – together with his wife Jane and daughters Morgan and Brittany – made us feel so welcomed at their beautiful beach front home in Kismit. Tim’s operation is quite impressive with almost 50 pieces of equipment plying the waters. As usual, Tim does a good job of understating the operation that he and his dad built. On a busy day, Fire Island Ferries moves about 30,000 passengers from Long Island to Fire Island and back… and this doesn’t include all the freight and essential services they take to and from the island.
After Fire Island, we travelled to Brooklyn and Manhattan to visit NYC Ferries and the Staten Island Ferry, respectively. We also stopped in to check out SeaStreak, another Interferry member, as part of our adventures.
We met with Tim O’Brien and Jonathan Figueroa of NYC/Hornblower at their operational headquarters in Brooklyn at the Navy Yard. We were impressed not only with the size of their fleet but also at the complexity of the NYC operation – which includes heavy lifts, ops center, a full-service warehouse and at least a dozen or so berths. We finished our visit with a ferry trip back to midtown Manhattan on one of NYC Ferries’ vessels.
The next day we had the pleasure of spending with John Garvey, head of the Staten Island Ferry. John gave us the full tour which included a return ferry trip to Staten Island from Lower Manhattan and a walk through their two major terminals – Whitehall and St. George. We also were able to see their state-of-the-art bridge simulators, as well as their crewing and operations centers. If you haven’t travelled on the Staten Island Ferry system, I encourage you to do so. With continual 30-minute departures from both sides and 24/7 operations, it’s no wonder that they are one of the busiest ferry systems in North America with almost 16 million passengers being transported each year.
That’s it for the busy month of July. October and Interferry2024 will be here before we know it! As usual, I look forward to your questions and comments.
Take care and be safe…
Mike Corrigan – CEO, Interferry
Greetings Ferry Fans,
As I write this update, those of us in the northern hemisphere are looking forward to a busy and profitable summer ferry season, while many of our members south of the equator are preparing for their annual refit and maintenance period.
In this month’s update I’m excited to be able to announce our exceptional lineup of ferry leaders and keynote speakers who have confirmed their participation in our Interferry2024 Speakers Program. In addition, I will update you on other conference activities; draw your attention to our regulatory initiatives and recently issued Regulatory Report; and wrap things up by officially welcoming our newest members to the Interferry family.
Ferry Leaders and Keynote Speakers at Interferry2024 in Marrakech
I’m happy to announce the senior ferry leaders and keynote speakers from around the globe who will be on the main stage in Marrakech. If you haven’t already registered for Interferry2024, I’m confident that this roster of ferry executives who represent an excellent cross section of our operator members – both globally and by operational type – will entice you to do so.
We expect to announce our full schedule with sessions and all speakers for the two-day Speakers Program – taking place on October 28 and 29 – by no later than the end of August.
Götz Becker has been with FRS for three decades and was appointed CEO in 2005. He is also Vice Chair of Interferry’s Board of Directors.
Greta Bédard, the first woman to hold the position of President and CEO of the Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ), shares insights from the Eastern Canadian ferry scene.
Torben Carlsen, CEO of DFDS, brings his financial and leadership expertise.
Matteo Catani, CEO of GNV, a major player within the MSC Group, offers the perspective of a company from the Western Mediterranean.
Bud Darr, Executive Vice President, Maritime Policy and Government Affairs at MSC Group, delivers a keynote address.
Elisabeth Lönne, CCO of Stena Line, reports first-hand on the transformation efforts at the Swedish company.
Ronny Moriana Glindemann of FRS/DFDS, will be a prominent presence at the conference, continuing the tradition of conference hosts acting as annual Interferry presidents.
Ettore Morace, the well-respected CEO of Trasmed GLE relies on +40 years of industry experience.
Steve Nevey of Washington State Ferries shares his insights from leading the United States’ largest ferry system.
Ira Puspadewi, CEO of ASDP Indonesia Ferry, gives her first-hand perspectives from one of the key ferry markets in Asia.
Sotiris Raptis, Secretary-General of ECSA, the European Community Shipowners’ Associations, delivers a keynote address.
Mark Wilson joins the discussion as recently appointed President and CEO of Northumberland/Bay Ferries.
Interferry2024 Conference Update • Registration and Sponsorships
As I think you all may know by now, due to the overwhelming demand in Hobart that saw us sell out a few weeks before our conference Down Under, we made the decision this year to open up registration to members only on June 1 – with general registration available starting August 1.
Based on registration numbers to date, it’s looking like we made the right choice, as we currently are outpacing last year’s lofty numbers! So, I encourage you to take the time to register for the conference and secure your hotel room on InterferryConference.com before heading off to your summer break.
To our supplier community who are still considering a sponsorship opportunity, those too are filling up fast with only a few spots left at the upper tier levels. With the above list of top-level decision makers participating in Marrakech, coupled with the strong registration numbers, I strongly suggest that you move quickly to avoid disappointment.
You can see complete sponsorship information on InterferryConferfence.com or contact our Sponsorship Manager Karen Giffon directly by email.
Regulatory Update
I now draw your attention to our Director of Regulatory Affairs Johan Roos’ recently issued Regulatory Report for a comprehensive overview of Interferry’s involvement in pending IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) regulations. In a nutshell for those of you that have not yet read Johan’s report… at MEPC 81, industry stakeholders had hoped for an in-depth discussion on the 2026 review of short-term measures in relation to the CII, but those issues were deferred to MEPC 82, which takes place September 30 through October 4.
We have drafted a proposal to implement a Fleet-Balancing mechanism that should be in the spirit of the CII framework and the uptake of new fuels and technologies. We are also promoting another submission to MEPC 82 in which stakeholders share their experiences of the CII and identify the areas that need to be addressed if the CII is ever going to be enforceable like other IMO instruments.
Johan covers this topic in depth in his June 2024 Regulatory Report on Interferry.com.
Besides GHG regulations, there are a number of other regulatory files we are involved with via our consultative status at the IMO and with other regulatory bodies. Here’s a brief review of some of the primary issues that we are concentrating on.
We plan to ask for further clarification from the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers regarding the difference between different ship types and the types of vehicles they carry.
In June, we joined a research project under the coordination of RISE, seeking new solutions to electronic monitoring equipment for reefer units connected to the ship’s grid, with a view to minimise the incidence of fire events.
The EU’s pending entry/exit system (EES) and European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) remains a hot topic on our regulatory agenda and Interferry is currently engaged in a cross-industry initiative to highlight significant concerns over the implementation of EES.
Welcome to New Members
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.
AFerry Ltd – UNITED KINGDOM
Arcsilea Ltd – UNITED KINGDOM
Candela Technology AB – SWEDEN
CORSICA LINEA – FRANCE
DCARB Australia Pty Ltd – AUSTRALIA
Experiencias Xcaret Parques SA DE CV – MEXICO
GIT Coatings – CANADA
Red and White San Francisco Bay Cruises – UNITED STATES
Strategic Marine (S) Pte. Ltd. – SINGAPORE
SWITCH Maritime LLC – UNITED STATES
Wabtec Charging & Power Transfer – GERMANY
Well, that about does it for this update! I look forward to your questions and comments.
Until next time, take care and stay safe…
Mike Corrigan – CEO, Interferry
Hello Ferry Friends,
There’s a lot of exciting news I would like to share in this month’s report, including the location of our annual global conference in 2027, the official opening of registration for Interferry2024 in Marrakech, and the outcome of our meeting with the Secretary General of the IMO.
I also want to draw your attention to changes to the Regulatory Affairs section of Interferry.com which highlight the many regulatory initiatives we are engaged in on behalf of our membership.
Finally, on an extremely sad note, I want to pay respect to one of our most influential members and Interferry Directors who recently passed.
Interferry2027 • Mariehamn, Åland Islands
It gives me great pleasure to announce that during the Interferry Board of Directors meeting held on May 12 in Stockholm, our Directors unanimously approved Mariehamn as the location of our global event in 2027. Long-time operator member Viking Line and its CEO, Jan Hanses, will serve as the hosts of Interferry2027.
The 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 small ferry runs providing lifeline services to the region’s archipelago. Åland’s storied maritime history, coupled with its natural beauty, will provide delegates with many options for exploration and entertainment. Mariehamn is fortunate to have a world-class conference center that is the perfect size to host our conference and with many hotels within a block or two of the conference center, delegates will be able to chose one that meets their taste and budget.
The video that Viking Line presented to the Board is sure to whet your appetite…
Member Registration Opens for Interferry2024 in Marrakech on June 1
Well, the long-awaited date is finally here! Starting on June 1, members can register for all Interferry2024 events here on InterferryConference. Due to the anticipated demand to attend our conference in Morocco – and the fact that we sold out Interferry2023 in Hobart a few weeks before that event – we have made the decision to stage registrations this year so that non-members’ first opportunity to register will be on August 1.
As we work our way through the many speaker proposals we have received, we expect to begin announcing keynote and high-profile speakers within the next month, with the rest of program revealed shortly thereafter. I’m confident in saying that we will have an “A” list of operator and industry leaders participating in Morocco as we expand on our triple “S” theme of “Safety, Security and Sustainability”.
Building on our very successful Africa Ferry Safety Seminar held in Tanzania in April, we also look forward to welcoming the African ferry community to Marrakech. Since this will be Interferry’s first conference on the African continent, it is only appropriate that one of the sessions on the main stage will be dedicated to the rapidly advancing African ferry industry, as well as areas where we can assist. Additionally, as a follow-up to our seminar in Tanzania, we have scheduled a half-day ferry safety session during the morning of October 30 for invited guests.
Shortly afterwards, attendees who have signed up for the Technical Tour will board a charter flight to Tangier that will ultimately lead to a Strait of Gibraltar ferry crossing along with accompanying port tours in Tangier and Tarifa provided by conference host FRS/DFDS.
Interferry Meeting with the Secretary General of the IMO
On May 16 at the IMO’s London world headquarters, Interferry’s Director of Regulatory Affairs Johan Roos and I had the distinct pleasure of participating in a 90-minute meeting with Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of the IMO.
l to r: Corrigan, Dominguez, Roos
Topics discussed included: continued co-sponsorship of developing world ferry safety initiatives; finalization of greenhouse gases regulations; and potential changes to the High-Speed Craft Code to include slower speed vessels.
The meeting took our positive relationship with the IMO to the next level and led to further meetings the following day with other senior IMO officials.
We were extremely impressed with Mr. Dominguez’ knowledge and passion for our industry – and would like to thank the Secretary General for the warm reception and engaging dialogue.
Improved Regulatory Communications to Members
One of the key deliverables stated in our newly minted 2024-2026 Strategic Plan “All Aboard” is to improve communications to our members with status updates regarding our regulatory priorities, as well as an up-to-date quick reference site for all our regulatory files.
In addition to quarterly Regulatory Updates from Johan Roos and my monthly CEO Updates, we have revamped the Regulatory Affairs section of our website to include detailed discussions and analyses on the many regulatory issues we are actively involved in including: Decarbonization / GHG Emissions; STCW Fire-fighting Training; Carriage of BEVs and Reefer Units; changes to the HSC Code; Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems; the EU Maritime Package; EES/ETIAS; Passenger Rights; and the IACS Working Group.
The Passing of Long-Time Interferry Director and Treasurer Mark MacDonald
It is always difficult to end my update with sad news, but unfortunately sometimes it is warranted.
On May 5, 2024, we lost a truly remarkable man… Mr Mark MacDonald, President and CEO of Northumberland and Bay Ferries. Mark was a dedicated and passionate 11-year Interferry Board member and our Treasurer for the past seven years. He truly loved our industry and its family atmosphere.
Mark is survived by his wife, Dr. Joann MacDonald, and their two daughters Dara and Charlotte. A special thank you to many of you who passed along your condolences to Joanne and me.
“Fair winds and following seas” Mark… you will be greatly missed and never replaced.
Until next time, take care, stay safe and now more than ever, cherish every day!
Mike Corrigan, CEO – Interferry
Greetings Ferry Fans,
I’m pleased and proud to share with you this month the overwhelmingly positive results from our Africa Ferry Safety Seminar in Tanzania. In addition, I want to highlight the outcomes of another successful Operators Policy Committee (OPC) held in Genoa, Italy, and – with Interferry2024 now only about six months away – there is a lot to report on regarding the lead up to our 48th annual conference in Marrakech. Finally, I want to draw your attention to the latest Ferry Business report in the Spring/Summer 2024 edition of Cruise & Ferry Review, published in association with Interferry.
Africa Ferry Safety Seminar • Dar es Salaam, Tanzania • April 16 & 17
In the mutual interest of improving ferry safety, a cooperation agreement between the African ferry community, Interferry and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was established at this month’s Africa Ferry Safety Seminar in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The seminar leads up to Interferry2024, our first conference on the African continent taking place in Marrakech, October 26-30.
Click here for complete information about the Africa Ferry Safety Seminar.
Held in partnership with the IMO, the two-day seminar was a collaborative effort to elevate ferry safety standards in Africa. Over 100 participants from across the African ferry industry, the IMO and Interferry´s global network convened in Dar es Salaam, united in the wake of recent regional tragedies.
We fielded a delegation of 14 seasoned professionals from our worldwide operator and supplier members whose purpose was to listen, exchange experience and share best practices on both operational and regulatory levels. Open discussions focused on critical areas impacting safety, including ticketing and passenger counting; cargo loading and stowage; vessel design and classification; insurance and financing; management culture and technical management; incident reporting; and the crucial role that political will plays in driving safety improvements.
This event represents a vital step forward in prioritizing ferry safety across Africa. The collaborative spirit and commitment from all attendees were truly inspiring. Together, we can address existing challenges and build a safer future for African ferry operations.
A special thank you goes to Oliver Weiss, Interferry’s voluntary Domestic Safety Committee Chairman, and Shari Corrigan, Interferry’s Director of Conferences and Finance, for taking the lead on organizing the event.
Operators Policy Committee (OPC) Meeting • Genoa, Italy • April 11
Another productive session of the OPC was graciously hosted by Matteo Catani of GNV at GNV’s head office on the Port of Genoa waterfront. Once again, we had a strong showing from committee members at the meeting with the majority of Level 1, 2 and 3 operator members participating.
At the beginning of the meeting – in addition to directing participants attention to the Committee’s anti-trust policy – OPC Chairman Götz Becker announced that he was stepping down as Chairman after a long tenure. Götz will be replaced for a two-year term by Paul Kyprianou of the Grimaldi Group. Paul’s first meeting as Chairman will be a virtual session on July 2, 2024 followed up by an in-person meeting on November 14, 2024 in Lisbon.
Johan Roos, Interferry’s Regulatory Affairs Director, briefed the committee on a number of regulatory files that Interferry was actively engaged in including: IMO GHG Strategy; Carriage of Battery Electric Vehicles; proposed changes to the HSC, EU Energy Taxation Directive; and EES/ETIAS. The majority of the meeting’s time and discussion centered around two items that Johan sought direction on from the OPC – the Open Loop Exhaust Gas Scrubber System (EGCS) and the IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII).
After much discussion, the committee agreed on the following Interferry position regarding EGCS and CII…
EGCS:
- Investments made in good faith should be protected via a grandfathering provision;
- There shouldn’t be an additional limitation place on EGCS within EEZ waters (200 nm) other than the already existing limitations within territorial waters of 12 nm;
- Support the development of an IMO database that summarizes which ports and sea areas prohibit the discharge of EGCSs.
CII:
- Continue challenging CII as a mandatory instrument for ro-ro/pax;
- Promote the concept of “fleet averaging” for ro-ro/pax for submission to MEPC 82 this fall.
Interferry2024 • Marrakech • Oct 26–30 • Member Registration, Call for Speakers, Technical Tour and Sponsorship
Member Conference Registration: The Interferry team is getting excited to open member registration on June 1. Based on the number of inquiries we are getting – and the interest in the Technical Tour – we expect another strong turnout. Since we sold out Interferry2023 in Hobart and stopped taking registrations a few weeks before that event, we have decided that the first phase of registration for the Moroccan event will only be open to Interferry members. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks. And remember… “membership does have its privileges”.
Call for Speakers: Hopefully, you have noticed that we opened our Call for Speakers this month. With the theme of “Safety, Security and Sustainability” we expect to get a great cross section of proposals. If you are interested in being considered for the main stage, please submit your proposals no later than May 24, 2024 via the submissions portal on InterferryConference.com. I’d like to remind you that Interferry members and conference sponsors will be given first priority for speaking slots subject to the merits of their respective submissions. From past experience, we have to turn away about 50% of submissions due to demand, so please take the time to ensure that your proposal is on topic, informative and educational for the audience.
Technical Tour: If you are interested in joining our unique Technical Tour, I strongly recommend that you contact Registration and Conference Manager Nicole Bond as soon as possible to secure your seat, as we only have a few spots remaining on the charter airplane. During this exciting tour, we will fly from Marrakech to Tangier where we will stay overnight, and next day we will sail across the Strait of Gibraltar to Tarifa aboard the FRS/DFDS vessel Tarifa Jet. At the conclusion of the tour, busses will take you to the international Malaga Airport. Complete Technical Tour information is on InterferryConference.com.
Sponsorship Opportunities: The Interferry team tells me that there are still a select few sponsorship packages available – which now include annual benefits – so please contact Sponsorship Manager Karen Giffon to lock down your business development opportunity before it’s too late. Perennial supplier members continue to tell me that there isn’t a more cost effective and efficient way to meet with senior decision makers from the operator community than at our annual global event. Suppliers can spend tens of thousands of dollars traveling the world hoping to meet with one or two prospects – or, conversely, they can ensure success by sponsoring and exhibiting at our conference which gives them access to dozens of C suite personnel from our operator community.
Ferry Business Report in the Spring/Summer 2024 Cruise & Ferry Review
The Spring/Summer 2024 edition of Cruise & Ferry Review’s Ferry Business Report once again provides an excellent variety of articles spotlighting leaders and companies in our industry that are pertinent regardless of type of service you provide. After my introduction sets the stage for Interferry’s 2024 priorities, Stena Line’s female leaders discuss a more inclusive workplace and meeting customer demands; BC Ferries’ new CEO, Nicolas Jimenez, outlines the company’s long-term transformative journey to reshape its coastal British Columbia ferry services; and Will Dady of StraitNZ provides his insights into meeting customers’ expectations in New Zealand. As in the past, this edition is concluded by some wise words from ferry aficionado Michael Grey.
May Activities • Interferry Board Meeting, Shippax Conference, IMO Secretary General Meeting
With only a few days back in Canada after April’s whirlwind travel schedule, I will be back on a plane to Europe in a few days to host the second Interferry Board meeting of the year in Stockholm on May 12. Immediately after the board meeting, Chairman Tim Mooney and I will hop on board the Tallink ferry Baltic Queen to take part in the Shippax 2024 annual conference as we sail a roundtrip from Stockholm to Tallin, Estonia. During the conference, Tim and I will present an Interferry update to delegates. After the Shippax Ferry Conference, I will travel to London to attend the IMO’s MSC 108 (Maritime Safety Committee) meeting with Johan, where I will also take the opportunity to meet with IMO General Secretary Mr. Arsenio Dominguez.
Once again, it’s another very busy Interferry month, and I hope to see many of you during my travels.
Until next time, take care and stay safe…
Mike Corrigan, CEO – Interferry
Hello Ferry Fans,
As we wrap up a productive first quarter of 2024, things are about to get even busier as we enter April and host our Africa Ferry Safety Seminar (AFSS) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; welcome Interferry’s Operators Policy Committee (OPC) in Genoa, Italy; return to Marrakech, Morocco for a final planning visit; present at the Carus User Group conference in Mariehamn, Finland; and sail across the Strait of Gibraltar onboard the FRS/DFDS ferry Ceuta Jet.
While it’s enticing to skip ahead to April’s frantic schedule, I first want to tell you about what happened in March. Starting with maybe the biggest news of all… we have just confirmed the final details for the Interferry2024 Technical Tour!
Interferry2024 Technical Tour • Sail from Africa to Europe via FRS/DFDS
I’m thrilled to be able to confirm that we will be able to deliver another unforgettable Technical Tour this year – building off our hugely successful event last year at Incat’s facilities in Hobart.
As everyone is aware, while Marrakech truly is a remarkable city, it isn’t near a body of water which is challenging given we are the global association representing the ferry industry. We have been able to overcome this by offering delegates a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
On the afternoon of Wednesday, October 30, Technical Tour participants will fly directly via a chartered plane from Marrakech to Tangier where they will stay overnight in a traditional Moroccan hotel. On Thursday, after a tour of the FRS/DFDS terminal, delegates will sail on the Tarifa Jet to Tarifa and will tour the vessel while enroute. Once in Tarifa, delegates will tour that terminal. After the tour, busses will take participants to the international Malaga Airport.
We have already had a lot of inquiries about the Tech Tour, so I suggest you book early as we only have room for 100 people on the plane. We will price the Technical Tour at US$250 – below our cost – which will include the one-hour flight and bussing on both continents. Accommodations aren’t included. Since Interferry member registration doesn’t open until June 1, if you are a member and interested in reserving your spot on the tour please contact Nicole Bond, Interferry’s Membership and Conference Manager as soon as possible.
For up-to-date details check out the Technical Tour page on InterferryConference.com.
Interferry2024 Call for Speakers Submission Portal Opens April 17
With our triple “S” theme of “Safety, Security and Sustainability”, the Call for Speakers submission portal opens on April 17 on the Interferry2024 conference website in the “Program” section. If you are interested in being on the main stage in Marrakech, please make sure you complete all the required information listed in the portal submission guidelines to be eligible for consideration.
If you are a supplier, just a reminder that your proposal shouldn’t be commercial in nature. In other words, only 10 percent of the presentation should be about your company/product with the remainder focused on educating and enlightening the audience.
For our operator members, we welcome the opportunity for you to submit a proposal on any of the three topic areas. After all, a key part of Interferry is about sharing best practices and lessons learned for the overall advancement of our industry – without, of course, compromising any anti-trust regulations.
As I mentioned in last month’s Update, I can’t think of three topics that are currently more interesting or relevant to our industry. “Safety” is timely because we will be on the African continent again after co-organizing the Africa Ferry Safety Seminar. “Security” involves not only the always present physical security concerns pertaining to ports and vessels, but also – and perhaps even more critical – cybersecurity. And – last but not least as our industry continues its decarbonization push towards zero emissions – “Sustainability”.
IMO Update • MEPC 81 and Review of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
Interferry has consultative status at the IMO and last month our Director of Regulatory Affairs Johan Roos attended the 81st session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 81). Although we were expecting a review of the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) – an operational efficiency requirement few industry stakeholders believe is meaningful or feasible – it came as a surprise to us to learn that, at the last minute, EU member states had mutually agreed to block the IMO from discussing the technical and practical details of the CII during this session. Instead, they deferred a review of the CII to MEPC 82 which takes place in October 2024. So, we now feel that the industry is behind the eight ball, as a revised CII is expected to be finalized no later than the spring of 2025.
The IMO is also reviewing the carriage of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and other alternative fuel vehicles on ro-ro ships. Initially all ro-ro ship types were under scrutiny but as Interferry – through the LASH FIRE initiative – could demonstrate the efficacy of a drencher system, ro-pax and ro-ro ferries are temporarily left out. The IMO will initially concentrate on vehicle carriers – read Pure Car and Truck Carriers or PCTCs – as they are not equipped with drencher systems but rather use CO2 as an extinguishing agent. We will continue engaging with our members and other stakeholders on the carriage of BEVs, but at this stage it was important to make a clear distinction between rules for transporting new and used vehicles between continents and private cars that are stowed for just a few hours on a vehicle deck of a drencher-equipped ferry.
Johan will issue a Regulatory Update in the coming weeks which will provide in-depth coverage on the status of CII and the carriage of BEVs on ro-ro vessels.
April 2024 Schedule
Since I started this report talking about Interferry’s busy April, here’s a bit more information on our travel and event schedule for the coming month. As always, we hope to see many of you somewhere along the way – if not at one of the locations below, maybe in an airport during one of our 15 flights!
April 11 – Operators Policy Committee (OPC) meeting in Genoa, Italy, hosted by GNV
April 16 and 17 – Africa Ferry Safety Seminar in Dar es Salaam, co-hosted with the IMO
April 18 and 19 – Final Technical Tour preparations in Tarifa and Tangier
April 20 to 26 – Final conference planning visit in Marrakech
April 22 to 25 – Carus User Group conference in Mariehamn, Finland
Until next month, take care and stay safe…
Mike Corrigan – CEO, Interferry
