SCOPE Project targets domestic ferry safety gaps in South East Asia

International efforts to improve domestic ferry safety in Southeast Asia gained new momentum with a two-day workshop held in Bali, Indonesia (10-11 December), under the IMO-EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package (SCOPE) Ship Safety Project.

The workshop brought together 30 representatives from national maritime administrations, including National Focal Points from Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, along with national and international experts from IMO, WMU, Interferry and observers from the EU Delegation to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam.

Participants reinforced their knowledge on the prioritization of viable and context-appropriate risk control options (RCOs) to ensure safety on domestic ferries. They identified critical barriers to implementing prioritized risk control options that need to be addressed, including:

• complex legislative processes;
• limited resources for enforcement and technology adoption;
• deep-rooted stakeholder perceptions; and
• long delays to develop new policies and training.

These discussions will contribute to the conclusion of the initial phase of the SCOPE project.

Understanding domestic ferry safety in ASEAN region

This first phase reviewed the domestic ferry safety landscape in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand and identified practical improvement options.

Building on lessons from the Formal Safety Assessment and Energy Efficiency Study conducted in the Philippines, global experts, including from Interferry and WMU, benchmarked national findings against international best practices.

Recommendations from the Philippine study are now being evaluated for relevance to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, with authorities, operators and experts working together to assess risks, identify feasible controls and map pathways toward safer, more efficient ferry services.

Through regional collaboration, Southeast Asia can move closer to a unified approach that ensures safer journeys for millions of ferry passengers.

SCOPE Project - Strategic progress rooted in global standards

Launched in January 2025 with financial support from the European Union (EU), the three-year SCOPE project is focused on enhancing safety, sustainability and connectivity in the domestic ferry sector of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

The project supports the implementation of international regulatory frameworks, technical solutions and stakeholder capacity development. It builds upon a robust foundation, including the IMO's Model Regulations on Domestic Ferry Safety (Resolution MSC.518(105)), providing a comprehensive framework for national improvements.

The SCOPE project incorporates a parallel Gender and Inclusivity Analysis (GESI) component, aiming to enhance safety, inclusivity and accessibility for women, girls, and socially marginalized groups in domestic ferry services. Initial data collection, including questionnaires and interviews with various groups, is underway.

Click here for more information on domestic ferry safety.