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,
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
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
