Interferry will celebrate its 50th anniversary at its annual conference in Bangkok, Thailand, marking a significant milestone for the international ferry association. CEO Mike Corrigan emphasizes that while the event will celebrate the past, it will also address pressing technical, regulatory, and operational challenges facing ferry operators today. With around 300 members across 40 countries and interactions with approximately 3,000 industry professionals, Interferry has grown substantially. Ferries transport about 4.3 billion passengers and 373 million vehicles annually, rivaling airlines in passenger numbers but presenting unique challenges due to vehicle transport complexities.
The conference will feature a five-day program, including a retrospective on Interferry’s history and celebratory events like fireworks over the Chao Phraya River. The business agenda will focus on future challenges, including discussions on workforce engagement and the importance of ferry services as essential infrastructure, especially amid rising costs and geopolitical uncertainties.
A key topic will be electrification, as the ferry sector is well-positioned for battery-electric and hybrid propulsion. Corrigan notes the need for improved infrastructure to support these technologies, highlighting the importance of reinvesting carbon tax revenues into port facilities. Additionally, Interferry’s regulatory advocacy at both the IMO and EU levels reflects its evolution over five decades, addressing critical questions about energy, infrastructure, and regulation in the ferry industry.
