MARITIME COMMUNITY

:MARITIME COMMUNITY Voice of the ferry industry

Within port communities, a multitude of stakeholders are interacting on a daily basis, none more so than ferry operators and the passengers and goods they serve. In this, our first in a series providing insights into the sectors that make up the maritime community, Mike Corrigan, CEO of Interferry, highlights the issues, trends, and challenges of the industry.

With over 260 members from 40 countries, Interferry is the voice of the ferry sector. It is the only international shipping association representing the worldwide ferry industry, including owners, operators, ship designers, shipbuilders, equipment suppliers and manufacturers, government agencies, classification societies, and maritime professionals. Established in 1976, Interferry has played a strong role in advancing the industry’s positions on regulatory policies as well as facilitating networking and communications among its members. Through their annual conference (next one scheduled for October 2 to 6, 2021 in Santander, Spain), the association has consistently provided a forum for stakeholders to discuss current issues, learn about the newest technology and strategies, and build relationships through social and networking events.

Taking on the role of CEO in 2017, Mike Corrigan understands all too well the issues that are of most importance to ferry operators. He had served as President and CEO of BC Ferries following a 15-year career that included the roles of Executive Vice President of Business Development and Chief Operating Officer. In addition to overseeing all aspects of BC Ferries’ operations, he was responsible for creating and leading the company’s SailSafe program — a joint initiative with the BC Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union that led to marked improvements in safety Established in 1976, Interferry has played a strong role in advancing the industry’s positions on regulatory policies as well as facilitating networking and communications...

(for both crew and passengers) as well as ancillary measurables such as fleet reliability, fleet on-time performance, fuel consumption, and passenger satisfaction. Corrigan is also currently sitting on the Board of Directors for the Port of Vancouver.

Promoting the concept of “stronger together,” Corrigan’s priorities revolve around ensuring that that the unique aspects of ferries are taken into consideration, especially when it comes to regulations put forth at the International Maritime Organization, where Interferry holds Consultative Status. The designation allows Interferry representation at meetings for such committees as the Maritime Safety and Marine Environment Protection as well as many sub-committees and working groups. “Ferries are moving over 250 million vehicles, two billion passengers and 45 million trailers around the world each year,” said Corrigan. “The sector provides a lifeline to coastal communities and island populations and it’s important to be able to provide a voice for the industry when regulations are being made for ocean-going ships that operate very differently.”

Regarding their work at the IMO and current issues, Corrigan noted the big one at present is greenhouse gas emissions. “It’s a very complex issue with the IMO trying to develop a formula to manage the efficiency of existing vessels,” he said, adding that this is an extension of the process undertaken a few years ago for new vessels. “The variables are tied to overall shipping – given the significant differences between ocean-going ships and ferries, it will be difficult for our sector to comply with Mike Corrigan

the potential regulations.” Corrigan noted that he and Interferry’s Director of Regulatory Affairs, Johan Roos, have been actively engaged to secure a correction. “The final regulations will be sorted out at the Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting (MEPC 76) coming up in June 2021.”

Corrigan was also quick to point out that the ferry industry is already recognized as a leader in the charge toward zero emissions from vessels. “We have a number of members, especially in the Scandinavian countries, who have full electric or hybrid-electric ships; hydrogen as an alternative fuel is coming along and, of course, a number of vessels are already operating on liquid natural gas, including BC Ferries and Seaspan,” he said, adding that LNG is a “transition fuel” as more of the industry moves away from carbonbased fuels.

Another issue at the top of Corrigan’s priority list is that of safety, especially

the improvement of safety in the developing world. Indeed, Interferry has already taken on a project in the Philippines and is planning for one in Bangleadesh and other areas to focus on the issue. “The project we did in the Philippines is a great example of how we’ve been able to engage with the industry, the regulators, and other stakeholders to analyze safety measures,” said Corrigan in referring to the Interferry’s FerrySafe Project, supported through a grant by Lloyd’s Register Foundation.

Two fact-finding missions were dispatched to political capital Manila and ferry capital Cebu in 2019 to study the results of a large number of safety measures that were implemented in the country. In their report, the FerrySafe Project team found that, in addition to a shifting attitude towards a general expectation of safe ferry travels, key factors were instrumental in facilitating an improvement in overall safety guidelines, including government willingness to implement new safety measures; the development of reasonably stringent regulations; weather-dependent prohibition of sailing permits; the presence of local enforcement personnel; and the importance of insurance and insurance surveys.

“The regulations need to come from the top,” Corrigan said. “Once the decision-makers are on board, everything else falls into place. In the Philippines, everyone was on side to make a change — from the government and regulators to the coast guard to the industry.” He added that Interferry has been engaged with the IMO in developing domestic ferry safety model regulations that can be implemented in other countries. “These are regulations that outline the best practices in domestic ferry safety and can be used by other countries to get them further up the curve much quicker.”

While there are many other areas of focus for Interferry — fire safety, high-speed craft regulations, and exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) to name a few — Corrigan reported that a current major initiative underway is an economic impact study of the worldwide ferry industry. Oxford Economics is conducting the survey which is expected to be released sometime in mid-2021. “We’re on par with the airline industry in terms of number of passengers we transport yet, because we’re more regionalized due to the nature of the business, we do not receive the same level of support from governments,” he said, adding that during the time of COVID-19, this support is critical for many operators. “The study will allow us to demonstrate to governments and regulatory bodies just how important the industry is and the impact we have on local and regional economies.”

As with all industry associations who host annual conferences, the pandemic meant the cancellation of Interferry’s annual conference, however, Corrigan said that, in addition to the priorities noted above, their three-year plan is still on track. “We continue to work toward increasing our influence in the developing world, both in terms of adding new members and improving safety standards, and we continue to add more resources for our work with the IMO.”

Finding the bright side of the pandemic, Corrigan has found that the past year has highlighted the importance of relying on ferries to stock stores and, while recognizing the obligations and responsibilities of the ferry sector for the public good, regulations, even taxation, can become an issue in fulfilling their mandate. “I don’t think people realize the supply chain logistics that are required to make that happen,” he said. “The pandemic has demonstrated the uniqueness of ferries and what we need to be able to operate effectively.”

To learn more about Interferry, their members and the issues they are currently addressing, visit: www.interferry.com. PP