Ferries: Safety and Standards
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has been made of the safety and reliability of the UK ferry network.
Answered by Keir Mather
Communities throughout the UK depend on reliable ferry services. Ferry services largely operate in a commercial environment. While the Government does not formally assess their reliability, it works closely with the port and ferry sector to avoid disruption to passengers if possible and to mitigate it when necessary. If a journey is disrupted, passengers are entitled to claim compensation. This process is overseen by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency oversees a rigorous system for the survey and inspection of the safety and working conditions of all commercially operating vessels visiting UK ports.
Through the Employment Rights Act 2025, the Department has introduced new powers to regulate certain matters relating to safe working on services calling at UK ports at least 120 times a year.
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