74 INTERVIEW Interferry at 50 As Interferry gears up to celebrate its 50th anniversary, Mike Corrigan looks back on the organisation’s key achievements and discusses its future priorities For 50 years, Interferry has brought together ferry operators from across the world. The organisation was founded in the USA in 1976 as the International Marine Transit Association and has evolved into an influential voice for the global ferry industry, representing its interests in regional and international regulatory arenas. “When we first came together, it was for networking and social association,” says Mike Corrigan, CEO of Interferry. “The aim was to get operators from various parts of the world together to identify similarities and challenges, as well as to discuss how we could work together. That’s still a big part of it, but we’ve become much more focused, particularly when it comes to representing the industry in regulatory arenas, whether it’s at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the European Union (EU) or other organisations. We make sure the voice of the ferry industry, which makes up just three to five per cent of the shipping industry, is heard.” The Operators Policy Committee (OPC) plays a key role in shaping Interferry’s collective approach to regulation. The committee, comprising 24 of the largest ferry operators, meets two to three times a year to discuss regulatory priorities and develop responses to industry challenges. Established in 2011, it provides operators with a forum to share concerns and discuss solutions. “If we don’t have our most influential members working together in the same direction, we’re not going to get anywhere,” says Corrigan. “While our members compete fiercely on routes, especially in The Interferry2025 conference was held in Sorrento, Italy, and centred on a theme of ‘Crossroads’, tackling major industry issues such as greenhouse gas regulations, electrification and safety
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzQ1NTk=