77 measures such as the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) are reinvested into the sector. “We’re seeing our industry paying billions of dollars into taxes for emissions and getting nothing in return,” he says. “We really want those dollars fed back and ring-fenced so they can help us in our drive to become more environmentally friendly.” Corrigan warns the rising cost of ETS could ultimately affect ferry demand. “ETS charges are increasing operating costs at a time when businesses are already facing growing financial pressures, making it more difficult to keep services running,” he says. “I was at an Interferry board meeting in the Isle of Wight in the UK in May and islanders told us how much the increase in ferry fares is affecting their economy. It’s costing more and more for ferry operators to run their essential services. If you increase the cost of the ferry, it’s going to affect prices and drive down demand. That’s just the reality of it.” Interferry aims to address these challenges, and many others, at its annual conference, in Bangkok, Thailand, from 31 October to 4 November 2026. Corrigan hopes members will present a united front in line with Interferry’s ‘Stronger Together’ motto. “We are a stronger voice when we’re united because we’re such a small segment of the shipping industry,” he says. “When we go to Brussels for the OPC and have three or four of our biggest members come with us to meetings, that has a huge impact on regulators and politicians. We’ve had such success with the OPC we’ve formed a Small Ferry Operators Committee to help our smaller operators to share knowledge and learn from others. There’s something at Interferry for everybody. It may be a bit different in terms of what people want out of it, but there’s something there for everybody.” Looking ahead, Corrigan is cautious about making long-term predictions for an industry that is rapidly adapting to new technologies, stricter regulations and economic changes. “We’re currently developing our next three-year strategic plan, which is a more realistic timeframe than the 10- or 15-year plans of old; you can’t think that far ahead anymore,” he says. “Our focus will remain on improving safety in the developing world, supporting the drive towards zero emissions, and making sure our industry-specific operational requirements are heard by regulators. I also expect shore power development, alternative fuels and levelling the playing field around ETS to remain high on the agenda.” Find out more about Interferry2026 on page 94 “ Our focus will remain on improving safety in the developing world, supporting the drive towards zero emissions, and making sure our industry-specific operational requirements are heard by regulators” From left, Interferry’s Oliver Weiss and John Garner, IMO secretary general Arsenio Dominguez, and Interferry’s Mike Corrigan and Johan Roos INTERVIEW Interferry called for ‘pragmatic enforcement’ of the new EU Entry/Exit system to avoid widespread disruption Photo: Unsplash/Edwin Petrus
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