Interferry joins IMO Ro-Pax safety review

Trade association Interferry has nominated Stena Rederi technical director Harry Robertsson as its representative on an IMO expert panel formed to review Formal Safety Assessments (FSAs) of Ro-Pax and cruise vessels carried out under the European Commission’s recently completed SAFEDOR project.

Studies by SAFEDOR (Design, Operation and Regulations for Safety) are being scrutinised by a Group of Experts drawn from 14 member governments and five organisations with consultative status at the IMO – Interferry, IACS, Intertanko, the Oil Companies International Marine Forum and the Cruise Lines International Association.
Their brief is to review the validity of SAFEDOR’s methodology, assumptions, scenarios and input data and to consider the proposed risk control options, which focused on damage stability/survivability, fire protection, and evacuation arrangements.

The Group of Experts submitted an initial report to the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee after meeting for the first time over 23 May-3 June during the MSC 86 session in London. A further meeting is planned in November, also at IMO headquarters, before reporting to MSC 87.

The IMO’s FSA process is designed to provide a proactive risk assessment and benefit-cost analysis to identify areas of future safety regulations. Interferry’s CEO Len Roueche, who attended the first meeting said: ‘We welcome this opportunity to speak on behalf of the global ferry industry at a crucial stage regulatory development.’

Fast growing Interferry has added a further three countries to its global membership base, which now extends to 226 companies in 30 nations. The first ever members in their respective countries are Nexus Ltd of Croatia, which runs the recruitment website Maritime Connector, the National Ferries Co of Oman, which operates new Austal-built fast ferries, and Thailand’s Chao Phraya Express Boat, which has a fleet of more than 80 commuter ferries in Bangkok. 
Other notable new members joining Interferry this year include ferry operators ANEK Lines of Greece, Fjord Line of Norway, Gothong Southern Shipping Lines of the Philippines and Owen Sound Transportation of Canada.

Interferry membership has grown by 130% since 2002 and now represents more than 500 individuals in organisations ranging from owners and operators to shipyards and government agencies. Seven years ago the trade association had 98 members in 19 countries, with 49% based in North America and 34% in Europe. The current roll call includes 46% from Europe and 35% from North America. Membership is targeted to grow by 50% over the next eight years, with most newcomers expected to come from the Mediterranean, Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Recruitment potential is a major factor in deciding the location of Interferry’s annual conference. Following Istanbul this October and New York in 2010, the 2011 venue is likely to be Barcelona, while Dubai and Singapore are contenders for the 2012 event. Sphere: Related Content