Interferry growing in strength as advocate for ferry sector

THESE days, it is vital to be represented in the corridors of power, nationally, regionally and globally. Of course, the shipping industry has the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) representing owners, and also the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), with a wider membership. Both do a good job, in slightly different ways.

But there are also a number of associations which represent specific sectors of the industry - Intertanko for independent tanker owners, and Intercargo, for bulk-carrier owners, are well known; the ferry operators' body, Interferry, is perhaps less so.

Nevertheless, Interferry is an increasingly effective advocate for the ferry sector and the wide range of issues it tackles was evident at its recent 40th annual conference in Copenhagen.