Business a.m.
Caverton Marine Limited was one of the most notable companies who participated at the 48th Annual Interferry Conference in Marrakech, Morocco last month. The conference, which drew participants from across the world, held from October 26 to 30, 2024 at the Palais des Congrès in the north African country.
With the theme: “Safety, Security, and Sustainability,” it was attended by maritime professionals and safety experts with the focus on pressing issues facing the ferry industry, with a spotlight on the African industry. Caverton Marine was represented by two delegates, one of whom delivered a keynote address titled “Electrifying Nigeria’s Inland Waterways: A Case Study of Lagos State” which provided insights into innovative strategies by the company to enhance sustainability in ferry operations while advocating for cleaner, greener transportation solutions in Nigeria.
The annual conference kicked off with a welcome address by Mike Corrigan, CEO of Interferry along with industry officials in Morocco, including Minister of Transport, Mohammed Abdeljalil and Minister of Energy Transition, Leila Benali, dwelling on the importance of collaboration between governments and private sector players in advancing maritime safety and sustainability.
David Okafor, a delegate of Caverton Marine, made a presentation titled “Electrifying Nigeria’s Inland Waterway Vessels Using Market Forces,” detailing the company’s novel initiative to develop electric waterbuses.
“This project, known as the OMIBUS, aims to reduce operational costs while enhancing safety and environmental sustainability on Lagos State’s inland waterways. It is a testament to Caverton’s commitment to innovative design and environmental responsibility,” Okafor stated.
Speakers at the conference, which featured a series of sessions addressing various facets of the ferry industry, include Bud Darr from MSC, who discussed the impact of greenhouse gas regulations.
On his own, Claire Womersley from HFW, dissected safety and security challenges within the industry as the discourse emphasised the global ferry sector’s commitment towards aligning with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)’s Net Zero emissions policy by 2050.
The Africa Ferry Safety Workshop was one of the highlights of the conference, sustaining the momentum of the successful April 2024 seminar in Dar es Salaam.
The workshop’s objective is to develop actionable strategies for improving safety standards across African ferry operations as participants engaged in roundtable discussions to enhance crew training, sharing best practices, and leveraging technology for operational efficiency.
Caverton’s involvement in these discussions positions the company as a leader in promoting maritime safety and sustainability in Africa. The workshop also targets a collaborative approach to establish a comprehensive African Ferry Safety Program to address the high incidence of maritime accidents on the continent.
Okafor, who contributed as a judge on the World Ferry Safety Association (WFSA)’s panel recognising innovative ideas for the annual student competition which awarded students from Institut Teknologi Sepuluh in Indonesia for their RoPax vessel concept, spoke further.
“Caverton Marine’s participation in the Interferry Conference not only underscored its commitment to safety and sustainability but also positioned the company as a forward-thinking leader in the African maritime landscape. As the ferry industry continues to evolve, Caverton Marine is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping a safer, greener future for waterborne transportation,” he added.
