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COLUMN FERRY TRENDS consortium sponsored by the European Union (EU). Del- Interferry’s current membership – more than 260 ferry egates heard that the drive train was being prepared for operators and suppliers in 40 countries – is predominantly assembly and testing on land within months. based in North America, Europe and Australia. Reaching

Such leadership was notably acknowledged by keynote out to developing nations is a core objective of our Stronger speaker Guy Platten, secretary general of the International Together strategy and, as in other areas of our activity, will

Chamber of Shipping (ICS). Praising ferries for being ‘at maximize the potential for supporting their safety initiatives. the bow wave of the latest propulsion revolution’, he as- Safety and environmental issues have long been at the heart serted: “You are the pioneers in the shipping industry and of our work, not least because regulatory proposals can inad- will light the path. What you do now, the industry will vertently penalize the particular requirements of ferry design follow. We want to learn from you in order to take the and operation. Interferry’s established reputation among the whole industry forward.” By a happy coincidence, there relevant authorities is key to the success of its interventions, was a telling echo of our own strategic objectives when which support the general objectives but argue for sector- he concluded: “You can’t do it alone. Ferry operators are speci