Interferry

Interferry
Name	Interferry
Type	International trade association
Founded	1980s
Headquarters	Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Region served	Global
Membership	Ferry operators, shipyards, naval architects, suppliers
Leader title	President

Interferry is an international association representing the ferry industry, including ferry operators, shipbuilders, naval architects, classification societies, and suppliers. Founded in the late 20th century, it acts as a forum for technical exchange, regulatory liaison, and industry advocacy across maritime jurisdictions such as the International Maritime Organization, European Union, and regional authorities in Asia, Africa, North America, and Oceania. Interferry facilitates collaboration among stakeholders like Stena Line, DFDS Seaways, Washington State Ferries, BC Ferries, and classification bodies such as Lloyd's Register, Det Norske Veritas, and American Bureau of Shipping.

History

Interferry emerged amid rising cross-border ferry traffic and growing concerns about safety, design, and environmental impact during the 1970s and 1980s, a period marked by incidents involving roll-on/roll-off ferries and regulatory responses exemplified by investigations into the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster. Industry consolidation and the expansion of ferry networks—seen in carriers like P&O Ferries and Silja Line—spurred operators to create a dedicated association to influence standards set by bodies like the International Maritime Organization and regional regulators such as the European Commission. Over subsequent decades Interferry worked alongside naval architects affiliated with firms comparable to Wartsila and ABB Marine and with shipyards in South Korea, Japan, and China to address design innovations influenced by projects like the Norwegian ferry modernization programs and the rise of high-speed craft such as those developed by Bavaria Yachts affiliates. The association’s history parallels broader maritime developments including emissions regulation influenced by protocols like the MARPOL Convention and safety regimes evolving after incidents such as the Spirit of Free Enterprise inquiries.

Membership and Governance

Interferry’s membership traditionally spans ferry operators (large and regional), shipbuilders, classification societies, naval architects, and equipment manufacturers similar to Rolls-Royce Holdings marine divisions and MAN Energy Solutions. Governance typically includes an elected board of directors representing major operators and supplier categories, with officer roles analogous to those in associations like the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Association of Classification Societies. Members come from jurisdictions including United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, New Zealand, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Denmark, Iceland, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, Egypt, and Philippines. Advisory committees often mirror structures used by organizations such as the International Labour Organization and the World Maritime University, focusing on technical, safety, environmental, and legal issues.

Activities and Services

Interferry provides technical working groups, benchmarking studies, and liaison with regulatory bodies comparable to how the International Maritime Organization engages stakeholders. Services include compiling operator best practices akin to manuals published by International Chamber of Shipping affiliates, organizing technical reviews with classification societies like Bureau Veritas and RINA, and facilitating procurement and safety audits similar to processes used by Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Company. The association helps members address challenges from emissions control areas designated under MARPOL and innovations such as dual-fuel and LNG propulsion championed by firms like Shell and GasLog. It also supports members with risk assessment methodologies used by DNV and cybersecurity guidance reflecting concerns raised by IMO guidelines and incidents involving critical infrastructure in ports such as Port of Rotterdam and Port of Gothenburg.

Conferences and Events

Interferry organizes international conferences and technical seminars that attract delegates from operators like P&O Ferries, SeaLink Travel Group, Irish Ferries, and naval architecture practices associated with institutions such as Newcastle University and University of Strathclyde. Events typically feature keynote addresses from regulators including representatives from the International Maritime Organization and the European Maritime Safety Agency, workshops led by classification societies like Lloyd's Register and Bureau Veritas, and exhibitions showcasing technology from marine suppliers akin to ABB and Siemens. Regional events mirror industry gatherings such as the International WorkBoat Show and the Baltic Sea Days, attracting policymakers from bodies like the European Commission and port authorities from Vancouver to Singapore.

Policy and Advocacy

Interferry engages in policy advocacy on issues including safety standards, emissions reduction, port operations, and passenger rights, presenting industry positions to regulators such as the International Maritime Organization, the European Commission, and national maritime administrations like Transport Canada and the United States Coast Guard. It collaborates with other trade associations including the International Chamber of Shipping and the World Shipping Council to influence frameworks like the IMO 2020 sulfur cap and greenhouse gas strategies under the Paris Agreement context. Advocacy also touches on funding and procurement policies influenced by institutions like the World Bank and regional development banks, and on labor standards intersecting with conventions from the International Labour Organization.

Publications and Standards

Interferry publishes industry reports, position papers, technical guidance, and conference proceedings that complement guidelines produced by bodies such as the International Maritime Organization, Bureau Veritas, DNV, and RINA. Its outputs often include best-practice guides on vessel evacuation drills referencing methodologies from the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and technical recommendations on hull design and propulsion linked to research from universities like Chalmers University of Technology and Norwegian University of Science and Technology. These publications serve members alongside standards promulgated by classification societies and voluntary codes developed through collaboration with port authorities such as Port of Vancouver and Hamburg Port Authority.

Category:Maritime organizations