Interferry is urging governments to support ferry companies severely affected by the coronavirus emergency

Interferry then urged government authorities to include the ferry sector in financial aid packages to support crisis-affected companies. "This support - explained the association - will be crucial ferry operators can continue to carry out activities essential for the communities they serve in this period without and to ensure that key and personal infrastructures are available once the global economy starts to recover."

Specifically, the association called for governments provide direct financial support to companies to compensate them for lost or drastically lost income interest-free loans, which introduce interest-free loans, which introduce tax reliefs for labour taxes and other government taxes and, finally, exempting them from paying taxes fixed ports.

Remembering that annually the ferry industry transports more than two billion passengers, traffic that is equal to aviation, as well as 250 million passenger cars passengers and 40 million trucks and trailers, Interferry pointed out that around the world, restrictions on trips introduced to contain the Covid-19 pandemic have significantly reduced the number of passengers transported many locations have been completely suspended from the services of the ferries to transport passengers. In addition, the association pointed out that, nevertheless, many companies in the continue to provide freight services even if they are not more able to carry passengers or cars in tow than Passengers.

"The ferry operators," he said. Interferry CEO Mike Corrigan - I'm conscious essential role they play in keeping channels open supply chain. These companies continue to provide an essential service, while knowing that they are supporting growing financial losses that are unsustainable in the long run Term. Operators - said Corrigan - report a decline between 75% and 100% of passenger traffic and a reduction in passenger traffic vehicle traffic of more than 50%"

Addressing this appeal to governments, Corrigan specified Interferry hopes that they will also be recognised as "the extraordinary efforts and sacrifices that ferry crews are doing all over the world to ensure the constant delivery vital assets. With families at home to worry about and crisis of the Covid-19 of which you still do not see the end -- he highlighted - ferry crews show up every day to ensure that ships can sail and that goods are delivered."