Page 16: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2019)

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INSIGHTS: FERRY BUSINESS

Mike Corrigan

Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan explains why the global trade association is poised to take its work to the next level.

Interferry sets sights on Growth hile I respect the mantra of cautious optimism, I can’t help feeling genu-

Winely excited that 2019 could prove to be a milestone year in the continuing growth of Interferry’s in? u- ence as the global voice of the ferry in- dustry.

We’ve come a long way since our US origins in 1976 as what was essentially a networking movement, but develop- ments in recent months already suggest we are on course for yet more enhance- ment of our present-day worldwide net- working and lobbying relationships.

Regulatory authority the International

Maritime Organization (IMO), where

Interferry has proactive consultative sta- tus, has speci? cally requested our assis- tance after agreeing to act on calls from us and others to increase its involvement with ferry safety in developing nations.

The decision came soon after Interfer- ry staged two fact-? nding visits to the

Philippines to produce ‘lessons learned’ guidance.

The IMO is also embracing our inter-

Photo courtesy Interferry ventions on ro-pax ? re safety and a raft of environmental challenges. Meanwhile record delegate attendance is not beyond mittee (MSC) – they agreed to establish cause. Under our specially-formed FER- a meeting with the European Maritime reason. Furthermore, with an Innova- a new output on measures to improve RYSAFE project, a four-man team made

Safety Agency (EMSA) has boosted our tion theme, we called for speakers who domestic ferry safety in developing week-long visits to Manila in March and sense of ever-closer bonds with industry could focus on step change rather than countries, where virtually all ferry fatali- ferry hub Cebu in May to research dra- playmakers.

incremental improvements. A remark- ties occur. Explicitly supported by the matic improvements in the nation’s ferry

Elsewhere we announced our sup- able line-up of heavy-hitters will explain IMO Secretary General, the agreement safety record – once the world’s worst port for the charity Mercy Ships, whose the potential to transform every aspect of built on a proposal from China and, not but now in line with the global average. volunteer-manned hospital ships bring our industry. least, Interferry advocacy and coop- The visits involved informal inter- healthcare to the developing world. We

Last but not least, we have drafted our eration with the IMO over many years. views with 66 stakeholders – from op- will be promoting them to our industry- strategic plan for 2020-2022, which adds Now a much better de? ned work plan erators to customers – together with wide membership – currently more than far-reaching weight to Interferry’s vision will go beyond general support to in- seven ferry crossings, shipyard visits 250 ferry operators and suppliers in of making a difference both within the clude the development of model regula- and meetings with the maritime, port close to 40 countries – including at our ferry industry and society as a whole. tions. The initiative will be overseen by and Coast Guard authorities. No ‘silver 44th annual conference in London this More on this follows after some details the IMO’s head of special projects, who bullet’ safety solution was unearthed, but

October. on our 2019 headlines… met us shortly before the MSC decision several paramount factors consistently

The conference also dares me to think and distinctly asked for our continued emerged – notably government sup- of a watershed 2019. London is the Safety breakthrough contribution. port, reasonably stringent regulations, a global leader in maritime chartering, le-

Terri? c news came in June at Session Findings from Interferry’s Philippines weather-dependent no-sail policy, local gal, ? nancial and insurance services, so a 101 of the IMO’s Maritime Safety Com- study mission will undoubtedly help the enforcement and the importance of in- 16 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • AUGUST 2019

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