THE 2018 Interferry conference in Cancun is hosted by Ultramar, Mexico's leading passenger ferry company, and takes place on Monday and Tuesday October 8-9 as the core of a knowledge-sharing, networking and social event running from October 6-10.
Keynote speakers from the military, merchant fleet and port sectors will be featured when trade association Interferry addresses three of shipping's most important issues - safety, security and the environment.
'Ferries already provide one of the safest and most eco-friendly means of transporting passengers and goods,' says CEO Mike Corrigan, 'but sharing information and experience from industry experts ensures that operators stay up-to-date on potential threats, future challenges and, more importantly, how to manage them.'
In the opening session, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's role in maritime security will be outlined by the Royal Norwegian Navy's Cdr Ben Lofstad, director of the NATO Shipping Centre (NSC), the primary link between NATO's naval authorities and the commercial sector. Cdr Lofstad will warn of the need to stay vigilant about security on ferries and at ports. He will also highlight concerns over cyberattack, especially the rise in GPS jamming and spoofing, which disturbs or falsifies the presentation of a ship's position.
Fellow keynote speaker Mark Sutcliffe, founder and director of the CSO Alliance of maritime security officers, will explain a new initiative to combat cyberattack and describe ongoing discussions to form a sector-specific security alliance between ferry ports and ferry operators.
The British Army and maritime security veterans formed the Alliance in 2012 due to concerns over the flow of intelligence on piracy in Somalia. His concept of a real time risk management tool is now used by 700 members in more than 40 countries.
'We run a password-protected platform that can be can be accessed 24/7 to communicate issues and questions for support or debate,' said Mr Sutcliffe.
Keynote speakers from the military, merchant fleet and port sectors will be featured when trade association Interferry addresses three of shipping's most important issues - safety, security and the environment.
'Ferries already provide one of the safest and most eco-friendly means of transporting passengers and goods,' says CEO Mike Corrigan, 'but sharing information and experience from industry experts ensures that operators stay up-to-date on potential threats, future challenges and, more importantly, how to manage them.'
In the opening session, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's role in maritime security will be outlined by the Royal Norwegian Navy's Cdr Ben Lofstad, director of the NATO Shipping Centre (NSC), the primary link between NATO's naval authorities and the commercial sector. Cdr Lofstad will warn of the need to stay vigilant about security on ferries and at ports. He will also highlight concerns over cyberattack, especially the rise in GPS jamming and spoofing, which disturbs or falsifies the presentation of a ship's position.
Fellow keynote speaker Mark Sutcliffe, founder and director of the CSO Alliance of maritime security officers, will explain a new initiative to combat cyberattack and describe ongoing discussions to form a sector-specific security alliance between ferry ports and ferry operators.
The British Army and maritime security veterans formed the Alliance in 2012 due to concerns over the flow of intelligence on piracy in Somalia. His concept of a real time risk management tool is now used by 700 members in more than 40 countries.
'We run a password-protected platform that can be can be accessed 24/7 to communicate issues and questions for support or debate,' said Mr Sutcliffe.