81 cent of ro-pax tonnage affected by the CII also has to comply with EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime carbon content requirements, thus making CII relatively redundant. Interferry believes the way forward is to keep CII as a repository of data, along with the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan, but never use it for non-compliance penalties. For several years, Interferry has been pushing to remove the minimum required speed element from the High Speed Craft (HSC) Code and have it replaced by a new HSC & Light Craft Code, paving the way to increase the number of lightweight craft and ultimately lower the ferry industry’s greenhouse gas footprint. Denmark is working with Interferry member OSK Design to conduct a gap analysis which should form the basis for general exemptions under EU regulations. We expect this to be the stepping stone for the general inclusion of lightweight craft in the current HSC Code. Another challenge facing operators is the EU preparing its own border management initiatives, coined the Entry/Exit Systems (EES) and European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), respectively. This automated IT system for registering travellers from third countries will be trialled in the upcoming months before becoming effective in October 2024. The EES will primarily disrupt ferry lines operating between third countries and the EU, notably the UK and the Continent, and North Africa-Spain, France and Italy. We encourage them to join Interferry in engaging with the authorities to keep travel disruptions to a manageable level during its rollout. Safety also remains a critical part of our DNA and core values. This is why we will co-host a two-day Africa Ferry Safety seminar in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in mid-April 2024 (read more in an interview with Oliver Weiss, chair of Interferry’s Domestic Ferry Safety Committee on page 122). We have also launched a new ‘All Aboard’ 2024-2026 Strategic Plan. It builds on our 2020-2023 strategy to provide greater value to our membership, add more regulatory/public affairs resources, and further our commitment to improving ferry safety in the developing world. We have five objectives: 1. Stronger together: bring the global ferry industry together by providing a platform to share innovation, knowledge and experience. 2. Regulatory influence: encourage the development of effective regulations and policies that support safe and environmentally sustainable ferry operations by engaging with external and internal key stakeholders. 3. Value to membership: ensure member satisfaction and ongoing engagement while incrementally growing the organisation to include underrepresented membership regions. 4. Brand recognition: expand recognition of Interferry as the trusted voice of the global ferry industry through public affairs, strategic partnerships and enhanced communications. 5. Environment and safety: encourage environmental sustainability across the global ferry industry and promote domestic ferry safety in developing regions. These commitments, and our 26-30 October conference in Marrakesh, Morocco, show we aren’t resting on our laurels in our relentless efforts to remain the voice of the global ferry industry. Spread the word! “ We aren’t resting on our laurels in our relentless efforts to remain the voice of the global ferry industry” Photo: Adobe Stock/ Sam Edwards/Caia Image COMMENTARY Interferry is committed to collaborating with its members and other industry stakeholders to make global ferry operations safer and greener
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