ASIAN SHIPOWNERS’ FORUM
10 Anson Road
#16-18, International Plaza,
Singapore 079903
Tel: (65) 6325 4737 Fax: (65) 6325 4451
General Email: information@asf.com.sg
Website: www.asianshipowners.org________________________________________________________
20 May 2014
Otsu, JapanFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPRESS RELEASE
Asian shipowners expressed concern over issues relating to theBallast Water Management and Places of Refuge.
The 23rd Annual meeting of the Asian Shipowners’ Forum (ASF) was held in Otsu,
Japan on 20 May 2014, hosted by the Japanese Shipowners’ Association (JSA).
Mr Jiro Asakura, Chairman of 23rd ASF, welcomed the delegates of member
associations and said, “Asian Shipowners have a pivotal role to play in the global
shipping industry and the ASF must continue to foster and strengthen the partnershipamongst the Asian shipping community.”
Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention
Thirty nine States representing 30.25% (4.75% short of the tonnage threshold) ofworld shipping tonnage had ratified the Ballast Water Management Convention1 but
unfortunately not all the available ballast water treatment systems approved by IMOconsistently reach a level that meets the D2 discharge performance standard. TheASF is therefore wary that shipowners may be at risk of having to replace the fitted
equipment if the system is later found unsuitable. To this end, the ASF strongly
supports the proposed review of the approval and performance standards at the IMO.
While maintaining that the IMO is the rightful forum to develop international
regulations and strongly discouraging countries or regions from taking unilateral
actions, the ASF is extremely concerned about the very severe insurance
implications that could arise due to the different BWM legislation being enforced inthe United States under the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and theUnited States Coast Guard (USCG). For this reason, the ASF is pleased to hear ofSenate Bill S.2094, which would bring conflicting regulations into one nationalstandard.
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Places of Refuge
The ASF thanks the Government and the local authorities of the Republic of Korea
for their assistance in granting a place of refuge for Maritime Maisie, the chemicaltanker severely damaged by collision and fire. The ASF recognises that this was notan easy decision, and for this reason urges all Governments, including those in Asia:- To consider adopting the IMO Place of Refuge Guidelines and IMO Maritime
Assistance Services (MAS) Guidelines as a matter of urgency;- To consider adopting similar measures to those prescribed in the EU Vessel
Traffic Monitoring Directive;- To work with their respective shipowners associations, Recognised Organisations
and other stakeholders to develop practical and implementable emergency plans
for ships seeking to enter the places of refuge, and to designate appropriate
places of refuge even if the names of these places are not published;- To consider introducing channels of improved cooperation and communication
between States, as well as with competent authorities and the parties involved in
an incident, in order to facilitate decision making, and;- To ratify and bring into force as soon as possible the liability and compensation
Conventions agreed at the IMO.
Piracy and Armed Robbery of Ships
The ASF expressed serious concern over the increasing number of attacks on ships
in the Gulf of Guinea. In this regard, the ASF urges Governments to support the IMOResolution A.1069 (28) which addresses this problem.
The ASF also noted that the number of pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia has
decreased as a result of joint efforts by the industry and international bodies.
Nevertheless, the ASF urged shipowners to remain vigilant and sustain their efforts insafeguarding the safety and well-being of the seafarers and ships.
The ASF strongly urges the wider dissemination of the Interim Guidelines on
measures relating to the welfare of seafarers and their families affected by piracy off
the coast of Somalia that have been developed by Working Group 3 of the Contact
Group for Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS WG3).
Canal Tolls
The Shipping Economics Review Committee (SERC) expressed its grave concern
over the Suez Canal’s continuing unilateral and hasty increases in tolls andsurcharges, the latest of which was implemented on 01 May 2014, and the possibilityof a further Panama Canal toll increase through the use of new toll structures to be
applied from around January 2016. Mr Yasumi Kudo, Chairman of the SERC, said,“The Canal Authorities, as competent and responsible administrators of public
infrastructure of global trade, should seriously listen to the voices of canal users andgovernments of interested countries in order to ensure the stability, transparency,and predictability of toll pricing policies.”

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Ship Recycling
While welcoming a balanced text of the EU Ship Recycling regulation, Dr Frank F H
Lu, Chairman of Ship Recycling Committee (SRC), emphasised that “Any regulation
should not be developed as alternative standardisation which undermines the Hong
Kong Convention, in order to ensure sufficient capacity of safe and environmentfriendly ship recycling yards in several countries. "ASF Chairmanship
Mr Youn-Jae Lee, Chairman of Korea Shipowners’ Association, was elected as theChairman of the 24th ASF. Mr Ma Zehua, Chairman of China Shipowners’
Association, was elected as the Vice-Chairman of the 24th ASF. Their terms of officeshall begin from 21 May 2014 until the next ASF Annual General Meeting to be heldin Korea.
ASF Secretary General
Mr Yuichi Sonoda will complete his term of office on 30 June 2014. Mr Kwang HoShin was appointed as the next ASF Secretary General and his term of office will
begin from 01 July 2014.

1Summary of Status of Convention – IMO, figures updated on 16 May 2014********_______________________________________________________________________________For media enquiries, kindly contact:
Elvin Tan
Executive Officer
Asian Shipowners’ Forum (ASF)
TelEmailWebsite:::(+65) 6325 4737
elvintan@asf.com.sg
www.asianshipowners.org

The Asian Shipowners’ Forum (ASF) is a voluntary organisation of the shipowners’ associations ofAustralia, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea and the Federation of ASEAN
Shipowners’ Associations comprising shipping associations of ASEAN countries.
The aim of the ASF is to promote the interests of the Asian shipowning industries.
It has been estimated that ASF owners and managers control and operate nearly 50% of the world's
cargo carrying fleet.

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