Page 20: of Marine News Magazine (January 2020)

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COLUMN FERRY TRENDS

Ferry Industry Sets Pace on Critical Solutions

Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan describes a distinctly upbeat period in the worldwide ferry community – and explains how the global trade association plans to take its support to far-reaching new levels.

There are times when the phrase table as leading drivers of safe, cost effective and eco-friendly “there are three kinds of lies: lies, travel and trade. Now Interferry is poised to do just that with damned lies and statistics” seems all too the launch of its 2020-22 Strategic Plan, a quantum leap of true, but here’s an honest number for faith drawn up in top level liaison with members. you – ferries carry a global total of more For all its apparent size, the ferry sector represents at than 2 billion passengers a year, which most only 5% of overall world shipping, so a united front is almost on a par with airlines. is essential in order to punch above its weight in an era

Hard to believe? Not for those of us of relentless competitive and regulatory challenges. The in the industry, but almost certainly for Stronger Together strategy adopted after I joined Inter-

Corrigan many citizens and politicians. We need ferry in April 2017 is ampli? ed in our new three-year plan, to raise even more awareness among con- which focuses on several key areas: sumers and policy makers of what ferry services bring to the • Promoting the highest standards of safety,

Most ferry operators in the developed world are reporting year-on-year traf? c growth and, in many cases, record passenger and vehicle volumes.

Credit: AdobeStock © Igor Strukov

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