By
Rebecca Gibson |
Fifteen senior executives from the global ferry industry will discuss topics including decarbonisation, operational efficiency, meeting customer expectations and workforce development during three Ferry Leaders Panel sessions at Interferry2026.
The event will be co-hosted by Chao Phraya Express Boat in Bangkok, Thailand, from 31 October to 4 November 2026, and also celebrate Interferry’s 50th anniversary.
In the ‘Powered by People – Securing the Future of the Ferry Industry’ panel, Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan will ask participants why ferry operators need to invest in people, cross-departmental collaboration, inclusive leadership and ongoing training to future-proof operations. Speakers will include Guido Grimaldi, corporate short sea shipping commercial director at Grimaldi Group; Ronny Øksnes, president and CEO of the International Transport Workers’ Federation; Marco Pavoncelli, chief commercial officer of E Dea Transport Technology; Katy Taylor, CEO of Wightlink; and Mark Wilson, president and CEO of Bay Ferries/Northumberland Ferries.
Corrigan will also moderate the ‘At the Helm – Leadership in a Changing Ferry Industry’ panel, where leaders from global ferry brands explore decarbonisation pathways, fleet innovation and investment and operational priorities. Participants will include Robert Blažinović, president of the management board at Jadrolinija; Panos Dikaios, CEO of Attica Group; Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line; Marcus Risberg, CEO of Viking Line; Pierre-Antoine Villanova, CEO of Corsica Linea.
Another panel led by Seamus Murphy, executive director of San Francisco Bay Ferry, will focus on exploring how ferry operators can balance public service obligations with operational efficiency, building resilient networks, securing sustainable funding and meeting customer expectations. The ‘Essential Connection – Operating Lifeline and Commuter Services’ discussion will involve Neil Chapman, operations director at Red Funnel; Worawit Chanchayanon, chief operating officer at Thai Smile Bus; Sean Collins, CEO of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers; Paul Gannaway, CEO of Batamfast Ferry; and Brian Thomson, managing director of Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
“In Bangkok, we will have the opportunity to discuss many topics relevant to our industry, such as the exchange of experiences regarding the electrification of ferries, or safety initiatives around the world,” said Corrigan. “The Leaders Panels, however, remain among the most highly anticipated sessions every year, as delegates gain access to first-hand leadership and decision-making insights. This year’s roster again demonstrates why Interferry remains vital after 50 years: C-suite executives get the dedicated space they need to gather among peers and engage in real, meaningful dialogue on the sector's most pressing opportunities and challenges.”
Other notable highlights of the event will include keynotes from Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, spokesperson for the Thailand Ministry of Defence, and Charlotte de Jong, director of business development for Asia-Pacific at The Ocean Cleanup. There will also be conference sessions centred on topics such as evolving regulatory demands and alternative fuels, led by executives including Götz Becker, Interferry chairman and CEO of FRS, and Matteo Catani, CEO of GNV and chairman of Interferry’s Operator Policy Committee.
Read interviews with Mike Corrigan, Katy Taylor, Seamus Murphy, Mark Wilson and other ferry leaders in the Ferry Business section in the Autumn/Winter 2026 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review