Speakers and Moderators

Mike Corrigan

Mike Corrigan is CEO of Interferry, the trade association that represents the worldwide ferry industry. Mike’s focus leading Interferry is to ensure that it continues to be the voice of the worldwide ferry industry in matters of safety and operational best practices, is the industry’s voice with regulatory agencies such as IMO, and that the trade association’s value continues to grow for existing and new members. Mike brings to his position of CEO of Interferry extensive executive experience in the ferry industry, most recently as the CEO of BC Ferries, one of the world’s largest ferry operators. During Mike’s tenure with BC Ferries, the company became recognized as a world leader in safety and operational excellence, set record earnings levels, invested $2 Billion in ships and terminals, and established itself as an employee-centric company earning top employer recognition.

Liam Dowling

Liam Dowling is a seasoned maritime professional with 30+ years of experience. He has a wide-ranging background including at-sea operations, fleet and asset management, surveying, project management, and consultancy across the commercial and super-yachting sectors. Currently, Liam holds the position of Head of Innovations and Asset Development at Fullers360, the largest ferry operator in New Zealand. With his visionary leadership, Liam drives operational excellence, ensuring Fullers360 remains at the forefront of innovation, and runs the green-tech asset development and delivery programme. His expertise, strategic acumen, and extensive industry knowledge have consistently delivered exceptional results throughout his career.

Michael Eaglen

Michael Eaglen is a naval architect and chartered engineer with a long and varied marine industry career ranging from yacht design, America’s Cup optimisation and consulting structural engineering to shipyard management and industry governance. His experience spans luxury yachts, racing yachts, military, commercial and patrol vessels as well as geothermal and wind energy.

Having been Commercial Manager and then CEO of Auckland shipyard McMullen & Wing for 9 years, Michael stood down in 2019 to establish EV Maritime. EV Maritime is a cleantech design, engineering, consultancy and technology company headquartered in Auckland New Zealand, with additional personnel in Australia, Canada and Thailand. It pro-actively developed a 24-metre 25-knot long range battery electric fast ferry, of which two are now under construction in New Zealand for Auckland Transport. EV Maritime recently signed a strategic partnership with Australian shipyard McMullen & Wing and is also working with shipyards in the USA and Canada to help catalyse capability development in electric ferry manufacture around the world.

Michael is a Director of the Marine Industries Association of New Zealand, former Chair of the New Zealand Marine Industry Committee for the 36th America’s Cup, former Deputy Chair of the New Zealand Marine Export Group and former President of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects NZ Division and of the Naval Architectural Society of New Zealand.

Paula Gill

Meet Paula, the dynamic sales and marketing manager at the Hawkins Family Group. With her passion for ensuring outstanding customer experiences, she plays a pivotal role in every aspect of the business.

Among the group’s various ventures, Moreton Island Ferries, the largest business unit, faced a crucial need to revamp its processes, particularly those centered around ticketing and passenger, vehicle, and freight bookings for their 60-meter RORO vessel, Micat.

Paula will take you on a journey through the challenges Moreton Island Ferries encountered and, more importantly, how they triumphed over them. By meticulously ticking all the boxes, Paula and her team brought about remarkable changes in the company’s revenue and gross profit.

Drawing on her extensive expertise in cloud-based customer service software and contact centres, Paula is perfectly positioned to share the insights gained from her experience with Moreton Island Adventures.

She will delve into the intricate details of the customer booking and ticketing processes, discussing the concerns faced by the company and the ingenious solutions they employed to overcome them.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Paula’s wealth of knowledge and discover how innovation and dedication can lead to transformative results for any business.

Mike Grainger

Mike Grainger is a founding shareholder and the Managing Director of Liferaft Systems Australia (LSA), a Tasmanian based manufacturer of Marine Evacuation Systems (MES) and large capacity liferafts for the international passenger ferry, mega yacht and defence market. LSA is recognized as a world leader in design, development and sales of MES with global exports accounting for 98% of turnover.

Mike has more than 40 years’ experience in the marine manufacturing industry and was a founding member of the Tasmania Maritime Network.

He is Chairman of the TT-Line Company Ltd Board. TT-Line is the Tasmanian Government owned operator of the “Spirit of Tasmania” passenger, vehicle and freight vessel ferry service between Tasmania and mainland Australia. Mike was appointed to the TT-Line Board of Directors in 2005 and elected Chairman in February 2012. He is also Chairman of the Vessel Replacement / Procurement Committee, member of the Audit & Risk Committee and Remuneration Committee. In early 2021 Mike signed the contract with a European shipbuilder for the replacement of the Spirit of Tasmania ferries. Valued at approximately $1 Billion Australian Dollars, this is the largest financial state infrastructure project in Tasmanian government history.

He is currently a member of the DNV International Ferry Committee. This committee is active in the implementation of improved regulations for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regarding international ferry safety standards. The Committee meets bi-annually in Europe and North America.

Tuomas Häkkinen

Tuomas Häkkinen is the Account Director, Ferry and RoPax, Safety Solutions, NAPA. With a Master’s in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from Aalto University, he started working for NAPA in 2012 as a technical consultant, moving on to project delivery and service management before becoming the account director in 2022. During his long 10 years of experience in the maritime software and data services business, Tuomas has worked closely with both large and small cruise and ferry owners and operators – often acting as an extended arm of their Operational Safety team, and consulting and advising them on a day-to-day basis to manage ship stability and reduce operational risks from onboard as well as from the shoreside. Thus, it goes without saying that Tuomas is a seasoned expert in anything and everything around Ship Stability and Safety Planning and Performance Management. 

Javier Herbon

Javier is Managing Director of CBG Systems which develops, manufactures and supplies niche marine technologies including lightweight structural fire protection systems, Moonraker Antennas and signature management for defence projects. Over more than 45 years the company has developed leading edge lightweight insulation solutions primarily for the High Speed Craft market but has now developed insulation system that bring those benefits to the steel shipbuilding sector.

Javier Herbon has a degree in Political Science and International Relations from Universidad Catolica de Cordoba, Argentina. He was also a postgraduate research student at Sophia University, Japan studying international business and market entry strategies. Javier then worked for different multinational companies. Javier moved to Australia in 2007 and began working with INCAT, a renowned Australian shipbuilding company constructing High Speed Crafts. During his time at INCAT Javier obtained a Masters in Business Administration specializing in Maritime and Logistics from the Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania.

Phil Kordic

Phil Kordic has been enthusiastically working in the engine and propulsion system branch of the maritime industry for almost 30 years.

Beginning from foundations as an Application Engineer for Detroit Diesel and mtu Australia, in 2002 he took over responsibility for mtu Marine Engine Sales within Australia Oceania. During his lengthy tenure in these positions, he gained extensive experience in various marine applications, however particularly so within the Fast Ferry segment, an industry of which Phil remains particularly passionate about to this day.

11 years ago, Phil relocated to Europe and has since been responsible for sales of mtu propulsion systems for Ferry & Offshore applications in EMEA, based at the Rolls-Royce Solutions Headquarters in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Within this role he is also actively involved in various internal and external projects aimed at reducing the CO2 footprint of the maritime industry by utilization of alternative energy sources and modern propulsion systems.

Phil holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Curtin University in Western Australia and an MBA from Deakin University in Victoria.

Tom Loefler

Tom is an inventor, industrial designer and tech innovator on a mission to use robots to improve ocean health. As CEO and cofounder of Hullbot, he focuses on product vision and company leadership. Hullbot develops underwater drone platforms that can inspect, map and interact with submerged structures.

Prior to founding Hullbot Tom had a career as an industrial designer bringing new products from idea to reality. Tom gained experience in developing product concepts and prototypes across various industries including transportation, medical devices, scientific equipment, architecture and consumer products. He has also worked as a freelancer and contractor in TV & film, creative fabrication, architecture and the construction industry. Before this Tom worked in boat manufacturing and fitout. He studied naval architecture & mechanical engineering before ultimately graduating with first class honours in Industrial Design. More recently Tom has worked as an industrial design educator and mentor.

Tom has a passion for the ocean and wild places, and grew up surfing and sailing in Sydney. He has a passion for wildlife, the beach, the mountains, camping, 4WDing and woodworking.

Rob Maher

Rob is an experienced professional with a diverse background in maritime brokerage, operations, construction, and engineering. After starting his career in brokerage and slipway work, he made a transition to Naval Architecture and marine surveying. Over the course of more than 6 years, he gained valuable expertise in new ship construction projects both in Australia and internationally as a New Construction Surveyor.

In 2015, Rob joined AMSA, where he played various roles in the domestic vessel division during the development and implementation of the National System transformation. Following that, he led a team of 12 as the Head of Technical within the operations division for 5 years, overseeing AMSA’s 300-strong accredited marine surveyor workforce and delivering National System services. Currently, Rob serves as the Principal Naval Architect within the Vessel Safety Unit.

Passionate about integrating technology and people, Rob actively explores the potential of emerging technologies for the maritime and regulatory industries. His qualifications include a degree in Engineering (Naval Architecture) and certificates in maritime operations, audit, leadership, investigations, risk management, and process improvement. He is a member of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects and a Chartered Engineer.

Outside of work, Rob enjoys playing the trombone, gardening, and exploring the outdoors. He is based in Hobart.

Shane McMahon

Shane McMahon was appointed as CEO of StraitNZ in February 2023. Before joining StraitNZ, Shane spent five years as CEO of Airwork Helicopters, the largest general aviation business in New Zealand. Prior to Airwork, he was COO of private equity owned NZ Bus for 8 years, which was New Zealand’s largest public transport company.

Tim Mooney

Tim Mooney is president of Fire Island Ferries, Fire Island Water Taxi and Fire Island Terminal, responsible for providing ferry, water taxi, freight and parking services originating from their Long Island, New York facility and servicing the communities of Fire Island, a 32 mile-long barrier beach. With a fleet of 25 vessels they provide transportation and related services to over 1 million passengers a year. Tim has a BS/BA from Nichols College in economics and computer science and started his career in the computer industry. He spent 25 years working with IBM, Wang Laboratories and Parametric Technology Corporation. In 2003 Tim left the computer industry to join his father to help run Fire Island Ferries. Since joining his father, he and his staff have worked to implement many new systems in support of websites, ticketing, freight billing, parking and advertising creating numerous incremental ridership and revenue opportunities for the organization. Tim has served on the Interferry Board since 2013.

Alessandro Morace

Alessandro Morace, aged 32, represents the 3rd generation of Liberty Lines shipowners, an Italian shipping company, founded in 1993 by his father Ettore and grandfather Vittorio. Today Liberty Lines is the leading company for the fast maritime passenger transportation in Italy and Alessandro is strongly committed in reorganizing the Company to make it a champion of innovation and sustainability.

Alessandro has a Law Degree (2017, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Milan – Italy ) and a Masters Degree in Entrepreneurship and Strategy (2018, SDA Bocconi, Milan – Italy). Alessandro acquired experience in chartering at Fratelli D’Amato Armatori in China and later, at the headquarters of the Multinational Corporation Grimaldi Group in Naples, where he managed chartering and bunkers purchase for the entire group. Starting from 2021, Alessandro has been involved with growing responsibilities in his family business, starting with sales and operation in Blu Navy, a Ferry Company operating in Tuscany and islands, and afterwards he arrived in Liberty Lines.

In Liberty he operates as Strategic Controller with the aim of business accounting reorganization and budgeting. Now he is a permanent member of the Company Board and works directly with the Managing Director. He’s in charge of administration, finance, and strategic supervision.

Alessandro is also an active member of Confitarma young Shipowners, the young branch of Italian Confederation of Shipowners. Founded in 1901, Confitarma is the main association representing the Italian shipping industry. At the same time, Alessandro Morace is a member and an advisor at ALIS, the Logistic Association of Sustainable intermodality, collecting more than 2.200 member companies in Italy, working to change their way to do business in a sustainable way.

Seamus Murphy

Seamus Murphy is the Executive Director of the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), which operates SF Bay Ferry service throughout the region. 

Prior to joining WETA, Murphy spent over a decade overseeing external affairs and strategic communications for the San Mateo County Transit District (District), which operates the Caltrain commuter rail system and SamTrans bus service. As the District’s Chief Communications Officer, Murphy led efforts to secure funding for transformative projects including the $2 billion Caltrain Electrification Project. He was also responsible for passing state legislation that paved the way for voter approval of revenue measures creating over $200 million/year in new transportation investment for improvements and services throughout the Peninsula. 

Murphy has been recognized as a leader focused on building strong coalitions that can effectively advocate for solutions to the industry’s most pressing challenges. He is a recipient of Mass Transit Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” award and is a key player in local, regional, state and national efforts to sustain, improve, and expand public transportation for all who depend on it. 

Kesavan Muruganandan

Kesavan Muruganandan is a senior electrical engineer with Arup based in Melbourne, Australia. He has 10+ years’ experience in the design of electrical systems for buildings and infrastructure projects. He is passionate about the development of sustainable energy systems for a net zero carbon future and is currently exploring solutions for battery recharging and shore power implementation in ports. Kesavan has a Master of Science degree in Construction Economics Management from UCL, London and a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical and Computer Systems from Monash University, Melbourne.

Supapan Pichaironarongsongkram

Mrs. Supapan Pichaironarongsongkram is the Chairperson of Chao Phraya Express Boat Co., Chao Phraya Tourist Boat Co. and Supatra Boat Co. Supapan oversees the operations of these companies, which has a fleet of over 90 vessels and transports over 12,000,000 passengers a year along the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok, Thailand. Her river transport service has been serving the public for 103 years under the realm of three generations of women in the family. Moreover, Supapan has expanded the business into real estate comprising of shopping mall, hotels and restaurants.

Chao Phraya Express Boat, currently the group company core business, is currently in the process of modernizing its fleet by replacing wooden boats with air condition aluminum catamarans. With the support of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) the company is doing in-depth research on changing its fleet into electric vessels to comply with the government green environment policy.

Supapan was the founder and President of the Thai Boat Association and the President of the Thai Business and Professional Association. She has received international awards including “The Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World” in Vancouver and “ASEAN Outstanding Women Entrepreneurs” in Hanoi, Vietnam.

She currently serves as a director in the Interferry Board of Directors.

Pace Ralli

 Pace Ralli brings over 20 years in the clean energy and infrastructure industry, with experience in investing in, operating, and founding companies focused on the energy transition of large, ‘hard-to-decarbonize’ industrial sectors. Since 2012, Pace has served as Co-founder and CEO of Clean Marine Energy, that builds supply and distribution infrastructure of clean fuels to ships. Pace also serves as Co-founder and CEO of SWITCH Maritime, that is building the first fleet of zero-carbon vessels in North America. Pace brings a strong background in project finance, energy innovation, and transaction structuring. Pace graduated with a BA from Middlebury College in 2002, and with a MBA from Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in 2009. 

Ben Reed

Ben Reed is Managing Director of global waterjet propulsion company, HamiltonJet. A chartered engineer and fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, he has lived in New Zealand for ten years and has run this ~500-person global organization for the last 7 years. With 17 years in diesel engines with Caterpillar, followed by the last ten in marine propulsion, he is a regular speaker on the challenges and opportunities in the future of marine propulsion.

Meri Rigby

Meri Rigby has been working in the ferry industry for close to 10 years, selling IT systems to ferry operators worldwide. During this time Meri has worked with many RORO and ROPAX operations, analysing and looking for opportunities to make improvements through digitalisation and automation.

In 2015 Meri joined Hogia Ferry Systems and during this period involved herself in understanding ferry operator needs from Europe, Canada, South America, Africa and all the way to Australia.

In 2020 Meri joined Surikat AB, where she continues to work. Surikat is a Swedish Tech company which provides IT solutions for handling all aspects of terminal operations and fulfillment for foot passengers, passenger vehicles, RORO, LOLO, rail and barge.

Jeremy Rockliff

Jeremy is a north-west Tasmanian who grew up on the family farm at Sassafras.

He campaigned successfully in July 2002 to become an MP for Braddon in the House of Assembly and held the portfolios of Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Water and Environment and Shadow Minister for the Arts.

In December 2006, Jeremy held the portfolio responsibilities of Economic Development, Resources, Sport, and Recreation and Community Development and between August 2008 and March 2010 was Shadow Minister for Tourism, Infrastructure, Resources and Racing.  Jeremy held the position of Deputy Leader of the Opposition from March 2006.

Jeremy is known for his strong representation of the North West and West Coast and believes that given the fact that much of the wealth for Tasmania is created by the diverse industry base of the North West and West Coast then in turn the region deserves nothing less than its fair share of government support and services.

He has been instrumental in helping set up the Tasmanian Devil Research Trust Appeal, progressing the rights of asbestos victims, championing the need for water development and greater quarantine barrier controls, fighting for stronger food labelling laws and effectively representing many people across the Braddon electorate. In April 2022, Jeremy was elected Leader of the Tasmanian Liberal Party and sworn in as the 47th Premier of Tasmania.

Johan Roos

Johan Roos is the Executive Director of EU and IMO Affairs for Interferry, based in Sweden. Previously he was Director of Sustainability with Stena Rederi AB. He holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. In the year 2000, Johan left DNV to join Stena Line, the ferry operator, to develop environmental management systems internally. From 2006-2011 he was in charge of sustainability issues for all of Stena’s shipping activities. Johan works in close relation with the European Community Shipowners Association and the International Chamber of Shipping and represents Interferry at the International Maritime Organization.

Anders Rundberg

Anders Rundberg is the founder and CEO of Carus, the world leading commercial IT solution provider of consumer facing solutions to the passenger shipping industry.

As CEO, Anders has led Carus through their acquisition by Anite Travel Systems and the subsequent Management Buy Out which returned ownership predominantly to the original management and staff and, more recently, the merger with Winpos to form the Carus Winpos Group.

Anders has been part of the passenger shipping industry for his whole life and it is his vision that has guided the evolution of the company’s core Reservations, Departure Control and Administration solution to todays integrated Passenger Experience Platform, that can manage all aspects of the Customer Journey to maximize the revenue and customer satisfaction.

Anders is a Master in Business Economics from the Åbo Akademi University in Turku, Finland and an active Rotarian.

Ciro Scopano

Ciro joined E-Dea Transport Technology in 2010 after having worked for 12 years for one of the biggest IT consulting Company as Senior Manager in the area of Technology consulting and for different industries (Oil&Gas, Telco, Public Services). He has an extensive background in managing IT projects experienced during the last 23 years.

Acting as a General Manager, his area of responsibility include Organization & Business Development, Client Accounting, Program Management and R&D advisory.

During the E-Dea experience Ciro has provided professional services for the implementation of E-Dea’s solution for most of all E-Dea’s Customers like Grimaldi Group, BC Ferries, Scandlines and CalMac Ferries.

Trevor Tasker

Trevor Tasker is the sole director, owner, and CEO of EMCS Industries Ltd. Trevor has over 40 years of experience in executive management, sales, and marketing, developing new territories worldwide through direct sales and distributorships. Other than EMCS, Trevor has founded, owned, and operated three other successful companies. Notable accomplishments are the digital branding of some of the world’s most well-known emerging market stock exchanges such as the Bombay Stock Exchange, Multi Commodity Exchange and National Stock Exchange in India, the Nairobi Stock Exchange in Kenya, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in South Africa as well as the Botswana and Zimbabwe Stock Exchanges.

Since taking ownership of EMCS in 2015, the company has drawn on its impressive history of inventing the original electrolytic marine growth prevention system in 1955 in Victoria, Canada, to develop more environmentally friendly products for the marine industry with a focus on sustainability. During his time as CEO of EMCS Industries, Trevor has also guided the company to record sales revenue, acquired Hull Tender International Inc and the rights the sustainable acoustic Hull Tender technology over the last eight years where the company was nominated for, and won, the Chamber of Commerce best new product award in 2017.

Trevor is certified as to operate small commercial passenger ocean going vessels, has volunteered for the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary and is a member of Interferry, the Canadian Ferry Association and the Association for the British Columbia Marine Industry.

Sander van Oosterhout

Sander van Oosterhout started 16 years ago in Wärtsilä gaining knowledge on propulsors as propeller designer and Project manager of several challenging special vessel and offshore projects. He is currently heading the Propulsion Technology department and also keeps the Director Waterjets position. In the latter position he has the business responsibility for the Waterjets portfolio and in such became involved in the ferry business. As head of Propulsion Technology, he is at the forefront of the decarbonisation journey of the shipping industry. His team works on optimising the overall vessel energy efficiency by means of optimised propeller designs, hydrodynamic research with state-of-art CFD and other complementary research and innovation activities.

Jan-Willem Vissers

Jan-Willem Vissers holds the position of Director Marine Commercial since April 2021. Since 2001, he has held a range of sales and management positions in Volvo Penta. With a solid background in commercial shipping, Jan Willem is responsible for marine engine sales and driving new business for professional marine users. This includes areas such as electrification, alternative fuels, and co-development of smart solutions. His motto is “Think outside the box, be creative and find solutions within the company boundaries”.

Jeremy Ward

Jeremy was the principal founder of East By West Ferries. This successful tourism and commuter ferry operation has been operating on Wellington Harbour for 35 years. Mr Ward has a long association with tourism and transport companies having managed the iconic Cable Car in Wellington for 7 years and City Scenic Bus Tours. For the last 10 years he has also provided independent consultancy advice and services in respect of tourism and transport to both NZ and Australian organisations . And now Mr Ward is the brainchild behind building and operating the first electric ferry in the Southern Hemisphere.