By
Rebecca Gibson |
The electrification of ferries, new applications for automatic identification systems (AIS) technology, 3D printing for weather and route monitoring, and performance monitoring telematics will be key topics at the Ferry Safety and Technology Conference this year.
To be hosted by the Worldwide Ferry Safety Association (WFSA) on 21-23 March in New York, US, the event will explore some of the ferry electrification initiatives that are being launched in Asia, Europe and North America. Operators, designers, builders, component and service providers, and government overseers will talk about successes and overcoming obstacles as electrification advances.
“The interest in electric ferries is enormous and there are many dimensions to the story,” said Roberta Weisbrod, executive director of the WFSA. “We look forward to hearing about coming trends; vendors are saying that ferries can go faster, and farther, without recharging, compared to the past.”
Other discussions will centre on the role of AIS systems in ferry safety. Delegates will hear how operators in the developed world are mining and applying data from AIS systems to optimise management and planning tasks, prevent accidents and more. Multiple examples will be covered, including the possibility of the automatic transmission of weather information to and from ferries based on their location and course.
“Sadly, our research shows that there is a correlation between ferry fatalities and the lack of AIS,” said Weisbrod. “Presenters at the conference will discuss how to facilitate mandates for AIS for ferries in developing nations, where ferries are needed for transport.”
In addition, the student awardees of WFSA’s 5th International Design Competition for a Safe Affordable Ferry will present their designs in conjunction with the awards presentation. This year’s challenge was to design a ferry for traversing the narrow and congested waters of Singapore Strait between Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
“Great speakers, emerging issues, announcement of new partnership initiatives, and high-quality networking opportunities -- we are looking forward to welcoming colleagues old and new,” said Weisbrod.