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,
As I mentioned in my last update, May proved to be an exceptionally busy month of travel, meetings and projects for the Interferry team. Our staff, directors and members
- Hosted an Operators Policy Committee (OPC) meeting in Genoa
- Presented at the Shippax Ferry Conference on board GNV’s Rhapsody
- Attended IMO’s MSC 111 in London
- Met with the IMO General Secretary – Arsenio Dominguez
- Held our second Interferry Board meeting of the year on the Isle of Wight
- Visited Mariehamn, Åland to prepare for Interferry2027
- Participated in the launch and first module of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and Interferry’s FerrySafe Training and Mentoring program
- Opened registrations for Interferry2026, our upcoming 50th anniversary conference in Bangkok
- Began evaluating the dozens of submissions we received to participate in the Interferry2026 Speakers Program
Operators Policy Committee Meeting • Genoa
Matteo Catani of GNV hosted a very well-attended OPC meeting in Genoa that was chaired by Paul Kyprianou of the Grimaldi Group. Interferry’s Director of Regulatory Affairs Johan Roos updated committee members on a number of files including the HSC Code, the IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and GHG regulations, and the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS).
The committee gave its endorsement to management’s proposal to add regulatory resources in Brussels in the coming years given the EU’s aggressive advancement of GHG and ETS regulations.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Paul Kyprianou completed his term as chair and passed the torch to Matteo Catani. Thanks Paul and congratulations Matteo.
Shippax Ferry Conference 2026
Johan Roos and I attended and presented at Shippax’s annual event this year on board GNV’s Rhapsody. Johan participated in a very topical regulatory panel. Immediately afterwards, Johan and I gave a combined presentation in which Johan went into more depth regarding the GHG and ETS files, and I proudly presented an update on our FerrySafe initiative. Congratulations to our strategic partners Elizabeth and Victor Mandersson on another successful conference.
Regulatory Update
As I reported in my last update, the stalled discussions on an IMO GHG Fund indicates that many countries do not believe it is within the IMO’s mandate to act as a financial institution and collect monetary non-compliance penalties from the ferry industry.
To that end, we have long held the viewpoint that the EU must start re-investing the money they collect from ferry operators via the Emission Trading System (ETS) scheme directly back to our sector. This concept is quickly gaining a lot of traction, and we look forward to the EU Commission’s suggested new ETS rules which will be presented in July.
Speaking of the EU Commission, it recently announced the 2026 Temporary Crisis Framework which allows member states to provide direct support to ferry operators for increased fuel costs due to the Hormuz Strait crisis. This presents an interesting dichotomy in which fuel can artificially be made more expensive through the ETS in order to drive change, but when fuel for other reasons gets more expensive, the policy maker feels a need to provide support. This is a perfect example of political will overriding regulatory principals.
Meeting with the IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez
While at the MSC 111 in London, we had the opportunity to have a coffee meeting with the Secretary General to discuss our ever-expanding FerrySafe project and explore ways our two organizations can continue to partner on improving safety in the developing world. We are currently partners with the IMO on their three-year Sustainable Connectivity Package (SCOPE) Ship Safety Project project which is focused on safety improvements in Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines.
After the meeting with Mr. Dominguez, we also met with the IMO’s SCOPE team to make tentative plans for a SCOPE project meeting in Bangkok just before our conference officially kicks off.
Interferry Board Meeting • Isle of Wight
A special thank you to Wightlink CEO and Interferry Board member Katy Taylor for doing such a great job of hosting the Interferry Board on the Isle of Wight. In addition to a very productive board meeting during which our directors laid out the template for Interferry’s next strategic plan, we participated in a full-day technical tour of not only Wightlink’s operations, but also fellow Solent operator Red Funnel.
A special thank you to Neil Chapman of Red Funnel for showing us around the company’s ships and terminals.
FerrySafe Training and Mentoring Program Kick-off Event
On May 6th, Interferry and LASWA officially inaugurated Africa’s first Ferry Safety Development and Mentoring Program. The 18-month initiative aims to deliver a structured framework to enhance operational safety, technical competence and regulatory compliance across the state’s growing ferry network.
The delivery of the first of 18 training modules followed later in the month. Many thanks to FerrySafe Committee members and mentors Darren Johnston, Jeff Joyce, Tim Mooney, Joep Bollerman, Rasmus Bayer and Executive Sponsor Shari Corrigan – your time and participation is very much appreciated.
Interferry2027 Mariehamn, Åland Site Visit
We traveled to Mariehamn during the month to attend Sjöfartens Dag (Åland Maritime Day) and to confirm the final details of Interferry2027. During our week-long visit we met with incoming Interferry President Marcus Risberg and his team; met with Anders Rundberg of Interferry Platinum Sponsor Carus; took part in the Maritime Day event, which was held at the same congress center that will be our conference venue; and visited hotels, evening venues and previewed the various Interferry2027 tours.
After this visit I’m confident that Interferry2027 will be another rewarding and unique experience for our delegates. As we have said many times over the years, our goal is for members to enjoy all that the world has to offer related to ferry travel… and to make each conference a different experience from one year to the next.
Interferry2026 Bangkok Conference Update
With over half our hotel room allotment at the Shangri-La Bangkok already booked, conference registration activity picking up and sponsorships and exhibition spaces almost sold out, Interferry2026 is setting up to be another marquee event. So, don’t miss out on the fun – register early and book your hotel soon! I have been told by quite a few folks how pleased they are with the room rates that we were able to negotiate with the Shangri-La.
As for the long-awaited details of the Speakers Program, we have begun the difficult task of sifting through the dozens of responses we received to our Call for Speakers. We expect to notify those of you that submitted proposals in the coming weeks and to announce the majority of our Speakers Program in my next CEO Update.
Well, that concludes another update which I hope you were able to get all the way through . It’s longer than normal but it was a very busy, productive and successful month!
Until next month, take care and stay safe…
Mike Corrigan – CEO, Interferry
Hi Ferry Friends,
The first day of May – which is commonly referred to as May Day in many parts of the world – also turned out to be an important day for Interferry this year for many reasons. First — we began accepting registrations for our 50th anniversary conference in Bangkok, Thailand. Second — since our Call for Speaker submissions is now closed, we can now begin assessing the many proposals we received to participate in the Speakers Program at Interferry2026. Third — it marks the completion of IMO’s MEPC 84, the first session after the historic events of the last MEPC session. Fourth — the Interferry team begins an extremely busy month of travel and meetings.
Looking back a bit to April, members of the Interferry team recently attended FRS Clipper’s 40th Anniversary celebration in Victoria, BC, Canada.
Interferry2026 Registration is Now Open for Our 50th Anniversary Event in Bangkok
The long-awaited date is now upon us! Registration is open for our 50th anniversary gathering of the senior leaders of the global ferry community. Note that the May 1st date is for our valued Interferry members — as registration for non-members opens on August 1st . Like in past years, we expect to sell out and close registrations long before the event takes place – so don’t wait and be disappointed!
As a point of reference, the reservations for our block of rooms at the Shangri-La Bangkok hotel have been open for about a month now. Reservations at our discounted conference rate have been brisk and about half of our room block is already spoken for, so make sure that you act quickly in order to secure your room. See the hotel information and get the reservation link here on the conference website.
Speakers Program Update and Sponsorship Opportunities
As we have now closed our Call for Speakers submissions portal, we will begin the difficult task of assessing the many proposals we received. As in past years, due to the sheer volume we will not be able to accept approximately half of them. Just a reminder that submissions will be evaluated based on their relevance to the conference theme and stated topic areas, as well as their ability to educate and inform our delegates. We expect to notify those who submitted by approximately June 15th . I would like to thank everyone who took the time to officially declare their desire to be on the main stage in Bangkok.
With regard to sponsorship, we have the following opportunities remaining. For sponsorships that include exhibition spaces, we have one Copper sponsorship and two Transportation sponsorships available. For sponsorships that do not include an exhibition space, we have Bronze sponsorships, one Happy Hour sponsorship and one Speaker Gift sponsorship available.
We have recently added two new sponsorships for Bangkok, the “WiFi” sponsorship which includes the right to name the conference network, and the “Fireworks” sponsorship. Complete details are available on the Sponsorship Information page [link] on the conference website.
Please contact Sponsorship Manager Karen Giffon as soon as possible if you are interested.
IMO MEPC 84 Update
Johan Roos, our Director of Regulatory Affairs, attended the 84th session of IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 84), April 27th-May 1st. I’m glad to share his key takeaways.
After negotiations on a global maritime greenhouse gas fund were adjourned last October, some had hoped that last week’s MEPC 84 would move the discussion forward, but it appears that the proverbial can has once again been kicked down the road. Additional intersessional meetings will be added to the IMO agenda for this fall, in the hope that spending more time to develop common ground will facilitate a successful outcome.
The opponents to collecting funds (Net Zero Framework) from the global maritime industry do not seem to have lost their momentum from last fall and it is hard to see how an agreement that is predicated on a GHG fund can ever find enough support, regardless of how much time the member states spend together in London.
On the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), there is consensus that the current framework is not fit for purpose and needs significant rework before it can become a compliance instrument.
Industry, supported by many member states, is pushing for a split between fuel used for propulsion and fuel used in port and in transit, to reduce some of the anomalies in the current CII. Interferry and others additionally argue that the CII should be part of the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), subject to the same type of audits as ISM – which has proven very effective for safety-related issues over the years.
We may soon come to a point where the concept of using the IMO as a financial vehicle to mitigate GHG may have to be abandoned, in favor of the IMO focusing on its core competence, which is technical regulations. As Interferry, we would prefer to see that development than continue getting bogged down in a complex system of money changing hands between various stakeholders.
May Itinerary for the Interferry Team
While the month of May is always busy for the entire Interferry team as conference activity really ramps up, this May is the busiest I can remember with an Interferry OPC meeting, the Shippax Ferry Conference, an IMO Secretary General meeting, the May Interferry Board meeting and a visit to Mariehamn, Åland, site of Interferry2027.
Here are the dates that I will be in Europe this month along with Johan, Shari and Nicole Bond for portions of the trip.
May 4 • Operators Policy Committee Meeting – Genoa, Italy
May 5-7 • Shippax Ferry Conference – Genoa and Sardinia, Italy
May 10-15 • IMO General Secretary meeting and member meetings – London
May 16-19 • Interferry Board meeting – Isle of Wight, UK
May 20-26 • Maritime Day and Preparation for Interferry2027 – Mariehamn, Åland
FRS Clipper’s 40th Anniversary Celebration
In April, Shari Corrigan, Marketing Manager John Nedwidek and I had the pleasure of attending FRS Clipper’s 40th Anniversary celebration aboard the Emerald Clipper — their new high-speed catamaran — at Victoria’s Inner Harbour. FRS Clipper has connected Seattle and Victoria across the Salish Sea since 1986. We were graciously hosted at the event by our chairman and FRS CEO Götz Becker as well as former Interferry director and current FRS Clipper CEO Mark Collins. Many thanks to them and the entire FRS Clipper team for their hospitality. It was also great to connect with Interferry members Hullo Ferries and Black Ball Ferry Line who were in attendance.
Pictured left to right are: Mark F. Collins, CEO of FRS Clipper; Ryan Dermody, CEO of Hullo Ferries; Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan; Interferry Director of Conferences and Finance Shari Corrigan; Götz Becker, CEO of FRS and Chair of Interferry; and Ryan Burles, President and COO of Black Ball Ferry Line.
Thanks for reading this month’s update. We hope to see many of you during our travels this month!
Until next time, take care and stay safe…
Mike Corrigan – CEO, Interferry
Greetings Ferry Fans,
Well, things are certainly ramping up at Interferry on several fronts as we end the first quarter of 2026. In this month’s update, I would like to provide you with an update on our FerrySafe program; highlight some key happenings on the regulatory front; draw your attention to recent and upcoming key activities related to Interferry2026; as well as request your help in proudly displaying that you’re part of the Interferry family.
FerrySafe • Launch of the LASWA/Interferry Mentoring Program
It gives me great pleasure to report that on May 6th we will be launching our 18-month mentoring program along with Interferry member Lagos State Waterway Authority (LASWA). The program will encompass 18 specific training modules delivered by LASWA to mariners who navigate their waterways with Interferry’s FerrySafe Committee members providing mentoring and coaching along the journey. A very special thank you to our many volunteer committee members who are participating in the program.
If you wish to participate on the FerrySafe Committee in any way, please contact our FerrySafe Executive Sponsor Shari Corrigan.
Regulatory Update • EU EES and FAL50
After years of delay due to EU Member States not being ready to operate the new EU Entry and Exit System (EES), it was finally introduced on October 10, 2025, with the ambition of gradually ramping up to 100% enforcement by April 10, 2026. The key challenge is how to efficiently collect biometric data from all non-EU citizens as they enter or leave the Schengen area. Our members operating routes to countries outside Schengen, such as the UK and Morocco, are very concerned about the lack of preparedness among border authorities in many ports, with significant shortcomings in the software, hardware, infrastructure, and staffing required to collect fingerprints and scan passengers’ eyes, particularly when they are seated in cars and buses. This border control function, which is outside operators’ control, risks generating significant disruption for the customers of Interferry members in the coming weeks.
Interferry notes that there are significant differences in preparedness both between Member States and between ports within the same Member State. It is unacceptable that operators should face major disruption to their operations due to regulatory matters outside their control. In the coming week, Interferry plans to meet with the European Commission’s DG HOME to raise the industry’s concerns and to request that Member States that are not ready be allowed to extend the gradual implementation period by a further six months.
On another customs-related note, the IMO Facilitation Committee (FAL) convened last week for its 50th session, with the objective of facilitating international trade. FAL is highly relevant to international ferry operators worldwide, as it provides standardized formats for the information shipowners must submit to port states, such as passenger lists and cargo manifests. While such standardization is beneficial, there was a proposal to significantly increase the burden on passenger ship operators by mandating the advance submission of a large number of passenger data fields, closely mirroring aviation requirements. Unlike air travel, however, ferry operations rely on flexibility, and we believe there is no justification for imposing aviation-style constraints. The Interferry team successfully argued that data collection and submission requirements must be implemented in a way that does not disrupt ferry operations.
Interferry2026 Official Hotel • Shangri-La Bangkok Reservations
I’m pleased to report that, although conference registrations won’t open until May 1st, the Shangri-La Bangkok hotel has already opened its reservation portal for our preferred rate conference delegate bookings. So, if you are anxious to get your accommodations sorted for our 50th anniversary event, check out the hotel page here on the conference website to see your room choices and find the link for hotel reservations.
Note that the Speakers Program and exhibition area will be at the Shangri-La Bangkok. You can see the event venue information – including the floorplan which illustrates the complete conference setup – here on the conference website. The Sunday Evening Welcome Reception takes place poolside at the Shangri-La. Also, the hotel’s pier will be used to board guests for the Monday evening dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River, the Tuesday evening Farewell Dinner at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall, the Wednesday morning Technical Tour, as well as some of the tours.
So, now more than ever, it makes sense to book the Shangri-La Bangkok for your accommodations.
Interferry2026 Call for Speakers
On April 8th we will open our long-anticipated Call for Speakers to participate on the main stage at Bangkok, with a deadline submission of May1st. As we mark this important anniversary, our theme “Stronger Than Ever… Together” reflects the power of shared knowledge, partnerships, and collective action in shaping the future of ferry transportation.
We invite proposals across a wide range of topics including: decarbonization, safety, digitalization/AI, portside innovations, passenger experience, workforce development and new vessel design.
We particularly encourage submissions that showcase collaboration between operators and suppliers, reflecting this year’s theme as well as “lessons learned” while implementing new technologies – e.g. electrification, AI, customer information systems, safety systems, propulsion, and ship design/refit.
Check out – and bookmark – the Call for Speakers Info page on the InterferryConference.com for all the details. The submission form at the bottom of the page will open on April 8th. Please read the submission requirements carefully!
Proudly Display the Interferry Logo
At our recent board meeting, our Board of Directors agreed that it would be a great idea to ask our almost 300 member companies to proudly display the Interferry logo on their websites and marketing materials. As we continue to gain more visibility and clout across the globe with decision makers and regulators, the Board feels that we can build on this momentum and our “Stronger Together” mantra by asking members to promote Interferry as much as possible. It would be great for both your company and our collective ferry organization if you were able to do so by displaying our logo.
Here’s a link to electronic versions of our logo for your use. If you have any questions or problems, please contact Marketing Manager John Nedwidek.
Thanks for reading this month’s update. As always, I look forward to hearing from you if you have any questions or comments.
Take care and stay safe…
Mike Corrigan – CEO, Interferry
Hello Ferry Fans,
In this month’s report I would like to update you on our very successful EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) campaign, provide some highlights from our recently completed Interferry Board of Directors meeting and, of course, talk about Interferry2026 taking place this fall in Bangkok.
Interferry’s EU ETS Campaign
The timing of our recent EU ETS campaign could not have been more strategic. As the EU begins to evaluate the real-world impact of emissions trading on European competitiveness, we are seeing a significant groundswell of support for our position. From lively media debates in Spain, Italy, and Greece about the effects of EU ETS on the cost of living, to industrial concerns in Germany, to proactive funding redistribution models being developed in France… the conversation is shifting. Our recent media push – highlighted by an interview in Lloyd’s List and over 60 articles across Europe – has successfully amplified our call for a pragmatic pause and a focus on safeguarding the strategic importance of the ferry sector.
We are encouraged by recent political dialogues, where we continue to advocate for a better balance of climate ambition with European industrial resilience, that is so tightly connected to the maritime sector. There is a growing appetite to discuss the ringfencing of maritime ETS revenues to ensure these funds are reinvested directly into our industry’s decarbonization, such as the vital electrification of port infrastructure. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support and technical input from our members, which has been instrumental in shaping these discussions. We are now closely monitoring the EU’s maritime industrial strategy set for publication in March, which will inform the next phase of our external communications and advocacy efforts.
Interferry Board of Directors Meeting • February 13th and 14th
We recently completed our first board meeting of the year in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with a technical tour to Bimini in the Bahamas hosted by Baleària Caribbean. The meeting recapped our major accomplishments in 2025, which included record levels of members, conference sponsorship dollars and delegates; FerrySafe initiatives which exceeded the 2025 workplan; as well as a threefold increase in media/brand exposure. Also highlighted on the regulatory front was Interferry’s aggressive industry-leading campaign to avoid double-taxation (if the IMO’s Net Zero Framework is approved), as well as our efforts to halt the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) from going into force – both measures that would save our members hundreds of millions of euros.
This meeting also set the stage for our next board meeting, which will be hosted by Wightlink Ferries and Katy Taylor from May 18th to the 19th on the Isle of Wight. During that gathering we will begin the process of developing Interferry’s next three-year strategic plan covering the years 2027 to 2030. We expect that meeting to be very well attended as we set the course for our next chapter.
It was also decided at this meeting that our winter 2027 meeting will be held in Halifax, Canada on February 12th and 13th , hosted by Mark Wilson of Northumberland and Bay Ferries.
Interferry2026 • “Stronger Than Ever…Together” • Bangkok, Thailand • October 31st to November 4th
Also at the February Board meeting, directors approved our 2026 conference theme of “Stronger Than Ever…Together”. As this year’s conference marks our 50th anniversary and celebrates all that the association has achieved since its incorporation in New York in 1976, the theme underscores our expectation that, through our ferry family, Interferry will become an even stronger global force in the years to come.
Sponsorships and Exhibition Spaces
It’s hard to believe that we are just through February and my team tells me that we are virtually sold out of exhibition spaces for Interferry2026 and that there are just a few upper-tier sponsorships remaining. So, time is of the essence! If you want to get in on the fun, please contact Interferry’s Sponsorship Manager Karen Giffon immediately.
Speakers Program
We will issue the Interferry2026 “Call for Speakers” on April 8th. Please look for further communications and information regarding the call via the Interferry News, LinkedIn and the conference website. As in years past, all proposals need to be submitted to Business Manager Jakki Corrigan, who oversees the conference Speakers Program, via the submission form which will be posted on InterferryConference.com.
To get your ideas flowing, we are interested in proposals that engage and educate our delegates in the areas that will help them successfully build, maintain or improve their ferry operations. Based on delegate feedback from previous conferences, we want to include sessions on “lessons learned” while implementing new technologies including electrification, AI, customer information systems, safety systems, propulsion, ship design/refit, etc.
Key Conference Dates
Please add the following conference dates to your calendar:
• Member registration opens May 1st
• Non-member registration opens August 1st
• Early bird registration discount for members ends on August 15
• Shangri-La Bangkok hotel registration opens on May 1st
The current registration information is available on the conference website.
The current hotel information for the Shangri-La Bangkok is here. Please wait until our hotel registration link is posted to book your room in order to make sure that you get our preferred conference rate!
Thanks for reading this month’s update. As always, I look forward to hearing from you if you have any questions or comments.
Take care and stay safe… and in the case of the Canada Men’s hockey team… don’t miss the open net!
Mike Corrigan – CEO, Interferry
Happy Belated New Year Ferry Fans,
2026 – the year that marks Interferry’s 50th anniversary – started off in grand fashion with our aggressive stance toward the EU regarding the continued roll-out of the Emissions Trading System (ETS); a three-week trip to the Asia-Pacific region to engage members of ferry communities of Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore; and the official launch of Interferry2026 in Bangkok.
Interferry Demands Pause on EU ETS Implementation at 70% Coverage
If you haven’t had a chance to do so, I encourage you to read our recent Interferry News article and News Release that marks the beginning of our aggressive campaign pushing for the EU to halt any further implementation of the ETS until (at least) the road transport sector is subject to the same regulations as the maritime sector. Currently, trucks and lorries are excluded from the EU ETS, and their inclusion planned for 2027 was recently further delayed by EU decision makers.
Our key points are as follows:
• The continued roll-out of the ETS for shipping while simultaneously delaying the implementation for road transport further exacerbates the unfair playing field between ferries and motorways and roads, increasing the modal shift between sea and land. This will cause Europe’s already congested motorways to become much busier while spewing even more pollutants into the air.
• In the meantime, the billions of euros collected from shipping via the ETS should be directly invested back into shipping for the aggressive development of onshore power supply (OPS) infrastructure in order to advance zero-emission technologies and green fuel sources.
• Ferries provide a “lifeline” to island communities that rely solely on sea transportation for their essential goods and services. The ETS does nothing more for them than to add significantly to their cost of living while providing nothing in return.
Our press release on this issue has received an outstanding coverage, resulting in over 60 articles at last check.
Asia-Pacific Region Engagement
Shari and I spent the first three weeks of January meeting with members of the ferry communities of Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore.
In Hong Kong, we met with and toured the operations of Turbo Jet and Cotai Water Jet (Sands China Ltd), the two fast ferry operators with routes to Macau. We also rode many of the ferries comprising the municipal ferry system, including Sun Ferry and First Ferry.
In Bangkok, we were joined by Interferry’s Conference and Membership Manager Nicole Bond who was busy finalizing conference preparations. We were welcomed by Mrs. Supapan and Executive Director Farn Sritrairatana of Chao Phraya Express Boat.
Mrs. Supapan, Farn, Shari and I met with representatives of over 20 organizations and companies – including many Thai ferry operators – during a meeting which was jointly hosted by Thailand Marine Department and Chao Phraya Express Boat. Ferry operators participating included Adaman Wave Master, Koh Kood Express, Seatran Ferry, Seahorse Ferry, Z-Touch Speedboat, Satun Pakbara Speedboat Club, Aonang Travel and Tour, Siam Catamaran and Imperial Grand Transport.
Shari and I then continued to Singapore, where we met with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, which regulates and licenses the country’s ferry operators.
We were hosted by the Singapore Cruise Centre at a ‘meet and greet’ with members of the Association of Regional Ferry Operators (ARFO) including Bintan Resort Ferries, Sindo Ferry, Horizon Fast Ferry and BatamFast. ARFO member Majestic Fast Ferry, who couldn’t make the meeting, later provided us with a tour of their operations and their newest ferry.
While in Singapore, we were graciously hosted by Interferry member Strategic Marine and toured their shipyard. Later that day we visited Penguin International, which not only builds ferries and other types of ships but also operates an all-electric fleet of ferries serving Bukom Island.
Based on the many individuals, companies and organizations we met, and the warm welcomes and enthusiasm they expressed for Interferry2026 coming to their part of the world, we are more confident than ever that this year’s conference will be another great success worthy of our 50th anniversary celebration.
Preparations for Interferry2026 in Bangkok
While in Bangkok we worked with Mrs. Supapan and Farn and confirmed final arrangements for Interferrry2026, our 50th anniversary conference. The week culminated with a very well-attended press conference, which officially launched our global event to the local community. I also had the opportunity to conduct an eight-minute interview with Mrs. Supapan in which she provides conference highlights from her perspective along with suggestions for things to do and see while in the “Land of Smiles”.
I encourage you to watch the interview below – along with the welcome video found on the home page of the Interferry2026 website – to whet your appetite and to prompt you to start making your travel arrangements early.
Video Interviews with Interferry Members and Leadership
To help celebrate our 50th anniversary, we thought it would be fun to interview a broad array of our members at Interferry2025 in Sorrento. Questions in these “quick clip” videos include what Interferry means to them as individuals and to the companies they represent; why they continue to participate in our organization and the annual conference; what their favorite Interferry memories are; and more.
Each week we will post a new short video on our LinkedIn page. I highly encourage you to watch the interviews… they are two minutes well spent. Have a look below at the first in the series, the interview with Seamus Murphy of San Francisco Bay Ferry.
For those of you who were interviewed – thanks very much!
Well, that wraps up a very busy month!
February continues the trend with an Interferry Board meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and a subsequent technical tour to Bimini in the Bahamas which will be hosted by Baleària Caribbean. In addition, at the invitation of long-time ferry friend Bud Darr – President and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) – I will be traveling to Anchorage, Alaska to join him on a panel at CLIA’s Pacific Northwest Symposium.
Until next time, take care and stay safe…
Mike Corrigan – CEO, Interferry
Season’s Greetings Ferry Fans,
Welcome to my last update for 2025! As we wrap up another very successful year at Interferry, I would like to conclude the year by highlighting our two most important initiatives, FerrySafe and GHG regulations; welcome our newest members to the Interferry family; start the process of preparing for Interferry2026, our 50th anniversary celebration in Bangkok, Thailand; and provide you with some key dates for 2026.
Interferry’s FerrySafe Initiative
Without a doubt, the gains we have made on our strategic initiative to improve safety in the developing world has been our proudest accomplishment. Our first forays into Africa began in 2024 with the Africa Ferry Safety Seminar in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and the follow-up Africa Ferry Safety Workshop in conjunction with Interferry2024 in Marrakech, Morocco.
Building on that experience, in June 2025 we partnered with LASWA to deliver a two-day safety conference in Lagos, Nigeria. That trip included another two days traveling the Lagos Lagoon, as well as learning about the challenges and opportunities presented by LASWA’s ferry system. As a result of that visit, we have strengthened our partnership with LASWA by co-developing an 18-month mentoring and training program. Also at the Lagos event, I proudly signed an MOU with the Secretary General of MOWCA, Dr. Paul Adalikwu, which will see our two organizations working even closer together in the next few years with the mutual goal of improving ferry safety in Africa.
This fall, two members of our FerrySafe Committee proudly represented Interferry around the world. Darren Johnston, VP of Marine Operations at BC Ferries, traveled to Monrovia, Liberia and spoke at the 8th Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) conference. Recently appointed Interferry board member Mary Ann Pastrana of Archipelago Philippine Ferries attended Korea Maritime Week 2025 in Seoul and participated in the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority (KOMSA) and Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries sponsored “Small and Medium Ship Safety Forum”.
Last but not least, on December 10th and 11th, the Chairman of Interferry’s FerrySafe Committee Oliver Weiss, and Interferry’s Director of Conferences and Finance Shari Corrigan attended and presented at the IMO’s SCOPE (Sustainable Connectivity Package) Regional Stakeholder Workshop in Bali, Indonesia. The following week, Oliver and Shari – who is also our executive sponsor of FerrySafe – will take the opportunity to meet with important Interferry member ASDP Indonesia Ferry. They will also host representatives of GAPASDAP and INFA & PORT (The Indonesian National Ferry Owner Association & Port), the two Indonesian ferry associations that represent ferry operators throughout their vast country at a “meet and greet” in the capital city of Jakarta.
Interferry’s GHG Initiative
More and more voices are being raised to challenge the IMO’s intent to keep pursuing a market-based measure, i.e. to collect money from the industry to facilitate development of green fuels and mitigating green projects. As Interferry’s Regulatory Director Johan Roos notes: “The EU countries tried to introduce a global MBM back in 2012 and received such strong pushback that it took almost ten years to have GHG firmly back on the IMO Agenda. Now they have tried again, resulting in a quite unplanned, but very real one-year pause during which something significant would need to happen to change the course of the next set of deliberations and votes. Perhaps now would be a good time to focus on the technical regulations the IMO is always very good at developing – while putting the financial aspects on the back burner.”
With the IMO GHG deliberations now on pause for a year, we can also reflect on the significant uncertainties that our operator members face from these types of unpredictable rules. Those having invested in dual-fuel LNG are still waiting for the EU to finally accept actual emission values rather than punitive default values, costing operators millions of euros extra per year in FuelEU and EU ETS costs. Interferry will spend the next twelve months reminding the European Institutions to not undermine its own critically important ferry infrastructure while trying to strike deals for global shipping.
Welcome to Our Newest Members
I’d like to offer a warm welcome to the newest members – companies and individuals – of the Interferry family. As is always the case within the Interferry family, and when it’s appropriate, please look to our members first when considering your business needs.
Torbjørn Aaker, NORWAY
Clarksons, NORWAY
FRS Systems GmbH, GERMANY
Pan Marine Shipping, EGYPT
Marina V. Secchiano, UNITED STATES
Silverstream Technologies, UNITED KINGDOM
Virgin Gorda Transport Ltd., BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Interferry2026, Our 50th Anniversary Celebration • Bangkok, Thailand • Oct 31 to Nov 4
2026 is a momentous year for Interferry as we present – along with conference host Chao Phraya Express Boat – Interferry2026, our 50th annual global ferry industry gathering. While I have been around for a little over 20 years as a member, director or CEO, I know that much has happened since the first IMTA (International Marine Transit Association) conference in 1976 in Orlando, Florida.
As part of our 50 years celebrating the Interferry family, we are hoping to put together a video, photo collage, or some other form of media to share our amazing story of the people, companies and locations that have shaped us into the globally respected organization that we are today. If you and/or any of your family members can help us with this endeavour in any way, please contact Interferry’s Marketing Manager John Nedwidek.
We have many generations of family members who have been intimately involved with our ferry association, and it would be great to get memorabilia from as far back as possible.
I’m sure someone out there has some pictures of Tim Mooney and/or me with hair!
Key Dates for 2026
Feb 13 – 14 • Interferry Board Meeting, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Feb 22 – 26 • PVA Conference, Covington, Kentucky, USA
April 13 – 16 • FerrySafe Conference, Kinshasa, DRC (Tentative)
May 4 • OPC Meeting, Genoa, Italy
May 5 – 7 • Shippax 2026 Conference, Genoa, Italy
May 18 – 19 • Interferry Board Meeting, Isle of Wight, UK
May 21 • Maritime Day, Mariehamn, Åland
July • OPC Virtual Meeting, date and time TBD
Sept 22 – 24 • CFA Conference, Ottawa, Canada
Oct 31 • Interferry Board Meeting, Bangkok, Thailand
Oct 31 – Nov 4 • Interferry2026, Bangkok, Thailand
Nov 1 • OPC Meeting, Bangkok, Thailand
January 2026 • Asia-Pacific Visit
The 2026 calendar fills up quickly for me, Shari, and our Conference and Membership Manager Nicole Bond as we will head to Bangkok in early January to make final arrangements for Interferry2026. While in the Asia-Pacific region, Shari and I will take the opportunity to visit ferry operators in Hong Kong and Singapore, and to personally invite them to share in the festivities of our 50th anniversary celebration and conference.
Have a Ferry Merry Holiday Season
As a global association that continues to have so much success in the chaotic world we share, I would like to wish you and your families a warm, safe holiday season and a Ferry Merry Christmas.
Take care and stay safe…
Mike Corrigan – CEO, Interferry
Greetings Ferry Fans,
It was fantastic to see so many of you at our record-breaking Sorrento conference. I hope that for those of you who attended Interferry2025 it met or exceeded your expectations.
In this month’s update, in addition to providing some final words about our annual global gathering, I’m pleased to be able to announce the new members of our Board of Directors, as well as our new Chairman Götz Becker of FRS and new President Supapan Pichaironarongsongkram of Chao Phraya Express Boat.
And, of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t provide some comments on the unprecedented happenings at IMO’s MEPC meeting in London last month.
Last but not least, during the board meeting in Sorrento the Interferry Board of Directors approved Quebec City, Canada as the location for Interferry2028 to be hosted by Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ).
Interferry2025 • Sorrento, Italy
As I said on the main stage in Sorrento, our annual conference is very much Interferry’s Super Bowl! We plan all year for the annual event that takes place over five days… and every year it seems to come and go so quickly.
From a feedback perspective, I would like to thank those of you who took the time to complete the survey in the conference app. If you didn’t have a chance to do so, please feel free to send whatever comments you have – positive or negative – directly to me and/or any of our team. It’s always important we hear directly from conference participants so that we can continue to improve whatever aspects of the overall event that need to be addressed. Feedback also helps to make sure that we know what is working and what is most important to you. After all, it is your conference, and we want to make it a great experience for everyone.
For members… whether or not you were in Sorrento, you can now watch the full Speakers Program here on our website (remember that you will have to log in to your Interferry.com account). As we have heard many times from our members over the years, this is an excellent way to share some of the sessions that were most pertinent to your business with members of your team who weren’t in Sorrento. Or you can view the full program again at your leisure, either for the first time or once again to make sure that you haven’t missed anything!
Also, we have now posted photo galleries of conference events and sessions here on our website.
New Interferry Directors and Officers
I’m pleased to report at our AGM in Sorrento, the Interferry membership approved the appointment of the following directors for a four-year term. Now, more than ever, these new directors reflect the diversity and global reach of the ferry industry.
• Oluwadamilola Emmanuel – Lagos State Waterways Authority, Nigeria
• Guido Grimaldi – the Grimaldi Group and ALIS (Association for Sustainable Intermodal Logistics), Italy
• Morgan Mooney – CNI Newco, LLC / San Juan Clipper III and Fire Island Ferries, USA
• Mary Ann Pastrana – Archipelago Philippine Ferries, the Philippines
• Katy Taylor – Wightlink, Isle of Wight Ferries, United Kingdom
• Mark Wilson – Bay Ferries Limited (BFL) and Northumberland Ferries Limited (NFL), Canada
Also – as host for our 50th anniversary conference in Bangkok, Thailand in 2026 – Mrs. Supapan was elected to a one-year term as Interferry President.
Last, but certainly not least, I’m pleased to report that nine-year Director Götz Becker of FRS was voted in as Interferry’s new chairman. I very much look forward to working with Götz over the next three years as we continue to expand the reach and importance of Interferry on the global stage and get ready to celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2026.
IMO MEPC Net-Zero Framework Decision Deferred for One Year
I’m sure by now everyone is aware that after much debate, sidebar meetings, and overall unprecedented happenings at the IMO regarding the decision that has significant financial consequences to the shipping industry, a vote to implement a Net-Zero Framework was delayed for one year.
While in principle Interferry supports a mechanism that de-carbonizes fuel over a reasonable period of time, we cannot endorse a system that would require our European operator members to pay twice for the carbon content of the fuel they use. Interferry’s position is that it makes more sense for operators to use their money to purchase clean fuels instead of sending it off to governments or institutions.
During the yearlong delay, we will continue to demand that the EU stands by its earlier commitments to harmonize its GHG legislation with that of IMO – so that if and when the IMO’s global fuel standard legislation is approved our operators don’t pay twice for what now seems to be essentially the same regulations at both regulatory bodies. We are already planning meetings with key decision makers in Brussels to directly communicate our concerns and will also continue making our position known via mainstream and social media.
To gain more insight into this complex subject, I invite you to read this excellent article written by Philippe Holthof in which he provides his take in a far-reaching interview with Johan Roos.
Interferry2028 in Quebec City • Hosted by STQ
With so many “irons in the fire”, there never seems to be a time to rest. With that in mind, team members Nicole Bond, Shari Corrigan and I will be attending and presenting at the Canadian Ferry Association’s conference in Quebec City in early November. We look forward to catching up with many of our members in “La Belle Province”.
This a perfect time for the Interferry team to return to Quebec City after our board’s recent decision to award the Interferry2028 global conference to Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ) and its CEO – and Interferry Director – Greta Bédard.
Read more in the Interferry News article announcing Interferry2028.
To wrap up this month’s update, I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to Tim Mooney – everyone’s favourite bass player – for his leadership, passion and commitment to our organization over his 12-year term, the last three of which were at the helm of Interferry as chairman.
Until next month, take care and stay safe…
Mike Corrigan – CEO, Interferry
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
