Adalikwu Celebrates Interferry at 50, Reiterates MOWCA’s Commitment to Safe Water Transportation
Dr Paul Adalikwu,the Secretary General of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) has reaffirmed the organisation’s strong commitment to safer and more sustainable ferry and inland waterways transport across the region, as it joined global stakeholders in marking Interferry’s 50th anniversary annual conference in Bangkok, Thailand.
MOWCA’s participation in the landmark event, held from 31 October to 4 November 2026 and hosted by Chao Phraya Express Boat under the theme “Stronger Than Ever… Together,” underscored the organisation’s drive to deepen international cooperation, knowledge exchange, and strategic partnerships in the ferry sector.
The engagement highlighted MOWCA’s determination to advance maritime connectivity, regional integration, and safety standards throughout its 25 member states.
Adalikwu lauded Interferry’s growth since it was originally founded in 1976 in the United States as the International Marine Transit Association and has now evolved into the leading global trade association for the ferry industry with about 300 member companies and more than 2,200 individuals across more than 40 countries.
He said for five decades, Interferry has built a reputation for advocacy at the International Maritime Organisation, safety initiatives, and support for practical pathways to decarbonisation.
The MOWCA SG used the occasion to celebrate Interferry’s milestone while emphasising the organisation’s unwavering focus on reducing the heavy human toll of ferry accidents in West and Central Africa.
According to him,more than 8,000 lives have been lost to such incidents in the sub-region over the past decade, with Nigeria, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo among the most affected.
He identified common contributing factors for such marine accidents to include overloading, poorly maintained vessels, weak regulation and enforcement, inadequate safety equipment, insufficient crew training, night travels where there were no illumination and operations in adverse weather.
He stated further that MOWCA’s safety agenda has gained momentum through a series of coordinated actions. He recalled that in mid-2024, the organisation partnered with the International Maritime Organisation and the International Maritime Rescue Federation to convene a regional workshop in Libreville, Gabon. The meeting produced the Libreville Action Plan, which prioritises stronger regulatory frameworks, crew and technical training, vessel seaworthiness, safe boarding and cargo handling, improved navigation aids, traffic monitoring, and robust search-and-rescue systems.
Building on that foundation, MOWCA co-hosted the Regional Ferry Safety Conference in Lagos in June 2025 with Interferry and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) . The gathering, themed “Charting Safer Waters: Advancing Ferry Safety through Innovation, Collaboration and Integrated Transport Solutions,” attracted about 220 policymakers, operators, regulators, and stakeholders. A key outcome was the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding between Dr. Adalikwu and Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan. The MOU established long-term cooperation on public awareness campaigns, capacity-building training, regulatory strengthening, infrastructure and sustainability studies, and knowledge-sharing between global operators and local African stakeholders.
Interferry has since launched an 18-month Ferry Safety Development and Mentoring Program in Lagos with LASWA ,the first of its kind in Africa aimed at training around 50 captains, engineers, and managers through digital learning, virtual mentoring by international experts, and practical sessions.
Through these initiatives and its ongoing engagement with the International Maritime Organisation, the African Union, and development partners, MOWCA continues to promote the application of Safety of Life at Sea principles adapted to inland and coastal waters, fleet modernisation, adoption of technologies such as AIS and weather systems, and a culture of safety-first operations.
Dr. Adalikwu’s message in Bangkok reinforced that safer ferry services are essential not only for protecting lives but also for unlocking the blue economy, supporting trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, and improving connectivity for both coastal and landlocked member states.
The SG stated that MOWCA’s presence at Interferry’s 50th anniversary conference signals sustained commitment to turning regional action plans into tangible improvements on the water for it’s member countries.
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