Domestic Ferry Safety
Shape the future of Domestic Ferry Safety
Do you have an innovative safety practice, a successful case study, or an effective regulatory approach?
Help shape the future of domestic ferry transportation!
Every year, hundreds of lives are lost due to domestic ferry accidents which might have been prevented, at least, partly, in a more safety-focused area of trade. With 95% of ferry-related casualties occurring on domestic voyages, ensuring safety, regulation, and training is not optional—it's vital.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is taking action by establishing global safety standards, offering expert training, and fostering regional collaborations to make domestic ferries safer, more efficient, and sustainable.
Act today — because every ferry journey should be a safe one.
Ensuring ferry safety requires a collective effort. Funded by the Lloyd's Register Foundation (LRF) and supported by the International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) and the World Maritime University (WMU), the global initiative is explained in detail in Circular Letter No.4957, encouraging all Member States and observers to share their knowledge and improve safety on domestic ferry operations worldwide.
The Secretary-General invites you to share proven best practices—from innovative safety measures to technological advancements—in domestic ferry safety. Every insight will help enhance passenger and crew safety, reduce risks, and strengthen ferry operations worldwide.
Don't forget to submit your contributions to the IMO Best Practices Information Sharing Forum by 30 April 2025.
To submit your contributions, and for any queries, please contact Dr. Anish Hebbar at safety@wmu.se.
Setting global standards for Domestic Ferry Safety
Resolution MSC.518(105), adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in April 2022, introduces Model Regulations on Domestic Ferry Safety to enhance safety standards in domestic ferry operations. These voluntary guidelines aim to address the high number of casualties associated with domestic ferry incidents by providing a framework for member states to develop or update their national legislation. The regulations cover various aspects, including vessel construction, safety management, crew training, and operational procedures, and are designed to be adaptable to different national contexts. IMO encourages Member States to implement these regulations based on risk assessments and to inform the IMO Secretariat upon their adoption.
Download the IMO's Model Regulations on Domestic Ferry Safety
See the Domestic Ferry Safety informative video (2021), providing information on the importance of safety standards on domestic passenger ferries, created with collaboration between IMO and the Royal Thai Government.
Safety briefing video
IMO commissioned a one-minute animated safety briefing video to be screened to ferry passengers. Explaining safety and addressing the risks of overloading and overcrowding, this short animation video is highlighting potential dangers for ferry passengers and passenger ships plying inland waterways on domestic and inter-island services. The safety briefing is created to be shown in ferry terminals and passenger ships.
Empowering change through training
Free IMO E-Learning on Domestic Ferry Safety
IMO offers training modules designed for ferry operators, regulators, and maritime professionals to enhance safety awareness and compliance.
Available in English, the training materials on Domestic Ferry Safety can be found on the IMO Learning Management System (LMS) platform, which is accessed through the IMO website. You can access the learning materials in other official IMO languages.
To access IMO e-learning materials on the LMS platform, you need to register for an IMO web account here.
China's Safety Culture Training: Safety culture, crew training, and operational best practices including manning, education, and safety management.
Republic of Korea's Operational Best Practices: Development and submission of educational training videos to support ferry safety improvements.
Projects on enhancement of domestic ferry safety
The Lloyd's Register Foundation (LRF) is providing financial support, through the World Maritime University (WMU), towards an IMO-International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI)- WMU partnership on enhancement of domestic ferry safety.
Started in the first quarter of 2025, project with funding from the European Union has been progressing with the European Commission (EC). The project on "SCOPE (EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package) Ship Safety – Improving Domestic Ferry Transportation Safety in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the wider ASEAN region" aims to enhance the safety of domestic ferries in beneficiary countries.
Addressing regional ferry safety challenges
To address regional safety concerns, IMO is working closely with maritime authorities, governments, and industry stakeholders across various regions, while aiming at implementing a global programmatic approach to strengthen domestic ferry safety, in close cooperation and partnership with relevant stakeholders, in particular, LRF, WMU, IMLI and Interferry.
Africa Region
Côte d'Ivoire National Workshop on Non-SOLAS Vessels, August 2024; read details here.
United Republic of Tanzania Regional Seminar, April 2024; read details here.
Uganda Kampala Workshop, March 2024; read details here.
Asia-Pacific Region
Philippines Enhancing Safety and Energy Efficiency Project, December 2021-November 2022; read details here.