The global ferry industry has lost more than half its business during the coronavirus pandemic and will need government liquidity to survive, according to the sector's international association, Interferry.

“Somewhere between 75% to 100% of ferry passenger traffic and over 50% of vehicle traffic worldwide has dried up as a result of governments’ and health authorities’ direction to self-isolate or eliminate all nonessential travel,” chief executive Mike Corrigan said in his latest update to members.