16 May 2023
ShanghaiPress Release
32nd ASA AGM
16 May 2023
Hosted by China Shipowners' Association (CSA)
Shanghai, China"Asia, Greener / Safer Shipping"
Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA) held its 32nd Annual General Meeting on 16
May 2023 in Shanghai. The meeting was hosted by the China Shipowners’
Association (CSA) and attended by more than 230 representatives from ASA
Ordinary/Associate members. The theme of the meeting was "Asia, Greener / SaferShipping" and the focus of the meeting was on many aspects of the challenges andconstraints including safety at sea, manpower at sea and decarbonisation at sea.
Seafarers should be fairly treated
ASA said that unfair treatment of seafarers, which can take many forms and be formany reasons, has a severe impact on seafarers' physical and mental well-being
and a damaging effect on the image of the shipping industry and its ability to attract
and retain qualified seafarers. Unfair treatment of seafarers often takes place when
seafarers are detained on suspicion of committing maritime crimes. An on-going
example is Captain Yu Yihai’s prolonged imprisonment without trial in Honduras,
which is contrary to the principles of conducting trials as expeditiously as possible orreleasing the detained person on bail as laid down in relevant international treaties.
ASA has noted the joint efforts of ILO/IMO to develop dedicated guidelines on thefair treatment of seafarers detained on suspicion of committing maritime crimes, andwelcomes the early adoption of the guidelines and, in particular, urges the Honduran
administration to have Captain Yu Yihai’s case to be handled fairly and expeditiouslyin accordance with the provisions on fair treatment of seafarers, contained in MLC
2006 and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.
After nearly 20 years of effort, the United Nations concludes historic maritime
biodiversity Treaty
On March 3rd, 2023, the 5th United Nations Intergovernmental Conference finallyreached an agreement on the text for a major new maritime biodiversity treaty. ASA
heartily welcomes this historic achievement: nearly 200 nation-states took part indiscussions which spanned nearly two decades. The shipping industry has taken an
active part in the discussions since 2016 to ensure that the nation-states understandthe role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as the global regulator forshipping. ASA is thus pleased that an agreement has been reached that High Seas
industries will be regulated through this new treaty with the treaty recognizing
international shipping’s concerns and the central role of IMO. The agreement should
also enhance coordination between UN agencies and other global regulators,
promoting a holistic approach to the protection of marine biodiversity andecosystems in maritime areas beyond national jurisdictions.
1Governments urged to take action in the face of increasing reports of armed
robbery
During the recent 40th Interim Meeting of the ASA Safe Navigation & Environment
Committee (SNEC) held in Singapore on 2 May 2023, the urgency and significanceof ensuring safe navigation and addressing the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions were strongly emphasized. ASA expressed its concerns regarding theescalating number of reported incidents of piracy and armed robberies in the Straitsof Malacca and Singapore during the first quarter of 2023. ASA urged immediate
action and called upon the three littoral governments of Indonesia, Malaysia andSingapore to intensify their patrols and enforce stringent measures to combat piracy
and armed robberies. Such intervention is necessary to safeguard the safe passageof ships transiting, anchoring, or engaging in trade within the Straits. In addition toaddressing maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, ASA deliberated on otherpressing matters pertaining to safe navigation, environmental pressure, and a global
approach towards regulating GHG reduction measures to decarbonise the shipping
industry. Ms. Caroline Yang, Chair of ASA SNEC, reiterated that ASA's longstanding
position is to support a consistent and predictable framework for regulating GHGemissions. This ensures that all shipping sectors can comply with uniform standards
as they navigate through different jurisdictions, avoiding excessive administrative
burdens and confusion within the industry. The urgency to act swiftly and decisively
in both safe navigation and combatting GHG emissions is paramount in safeguarding
the marine environment and securing a sustainable future for the shipping industry.
Impacts on the Stability of the Global Supply Chain
ASA expressed its concern over adverse impacts on the stability of the global supply
chain due to drastic increases in the tolls of the Panama and Suez Canals, effectivein January 2023, without ensuring enough transparency. Under such circumstances,
it is necessary to continue to urge both canals to ensure safe and smooth transits ofvessels as well as stable management, including tolls, through regular dialogues
covering such topics as green transits and stable supplies of alternative fuels. ASA
therefore agreed that it was essential to deepen mutual understanding among
stakeholders, including international associations, for taking any harmonised
approach to address common issues more effectively. In the meantime, in light of
the fruitful outcomes from the first trial of the joint session between ASA SPC andASA SNEC on 2nd May, ASA agreed to explore any further collaboration among thefive standing committees to take up such issues as shipping decarbonisation andtraining for young talents to meet the requirements for next-generation vessels.

The Hong Kong Convention (HKC)
ASA reaffirmed the need for the early entry into force of the HKC as well as for theurgent expansion of Green Yards in multiple countries to respond to an expectedsurge of ship recycling demand in the coming years. For these sakes, therecognition that the year 2023 should especially be crucial was shared by ASA, inaccordance with the treaty requirements. In order to achieve the goal, ASA
confirmed that Bangladesh and China have been holding the key and that ASA
should concentrate our primary effort on securing the earliest ratification byBangladesh. It was then affirmed that every ASA member association wouldencourage concerned governments to support Bangladesh in every aspect whereverpossible. ASA would also encourage respective member shipping companies ofASA members to use HKC SoC (Statements of Compliance) yards and those aiming
to acquire certification. ASA would continue to speak out on our arguments.

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At the 32nd ASA AGM, Mr Wellington Koo, Chairman of The Hong Kong Shipowners
Association (HKSOA) was appointed as the 33rd ASA Chairman.
Mr Haji Awang, Chairman of the Federation of ASEAN Shipowners’ Associations(FASA) was also appointed as the Vice-Chairman of ASA.
The next ASA AGM will be held in Hong Kong in May 2024
Based on the outcome of the meeting, Mr Zhang Shouguo, CSA Executive Vice
Chairman, on behalf of Mr Xu Lirong, ASA Chairman, announced the adoption at themeeting of the following ASA Initiative 2023, calling for the healthy development ofthe Asian shipping industry.
ASA Initiative 2023
The shipping industry is the backbone of global trade and the global economy,
facilitating the movement of goods and commodities around the world. According tothe International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the international maritime
transportation industry is responsible for the transportation of around 90% ofcommodities produced from world trade activities. Without shipping, international
trade as we know it today would not be possible. The shipping industry also directly
provides over 1.5 million jobs worldwide.
In addition to economic growth and job creation, shipping also has a positive impact
on the standard of living around the world. By facilitating the movement of goods
and commodities, shipping helps to ensure that people have access to the products
and resources they need to live and thrive, as well as the benefits of trade andcommerce are more evenly spread.
However, the global shipping industry is facing increasing pressure to cut thepollution created by the world's merchant fleet and to engineer a carbon-neutral
shipping industry in future. Recognizing the need for climate action, the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) has mandated emission reductions of 50% for allvessels by 2050, while the European Union (EU) is taking stricter unilateralmeasures. This is a tremendous challenge to the shipping industry.
Today, piracy and armed robbery continue to pose a threat to ships and seafarers inhigh-risk waters and ports. The military conflict between Russia and Ukraine ishaving a significant impact on the safety and security of some seafarers. A shortageof STCW certified officers has been predicted in the near future. While theintroduction of smart ships will make the shipping industry safer, more competitiveand sustainable, it will also bring about challenges to the shipping industry in almost
all aspects.
As an important global shipping organization controlling and operating around 50%of the world’s cargo carrying fleet, ASA is and will be impacted by those challenges.
In order to maintain a healthy development of the shipping industry in Asia, Asianshipowners and other stakeholders in the world must take coordinated measures.
In this context, ASA calls on all the stakeholders in the shipping industry to:
1. support the emission reduction measures negotiated multilaterally in theIMO instead of any unilateral policies on the shipping industry;32. work together to maintain the security and stability of the international
shipping corridors by combating piracy and armed robbery and improving
the transit efficiency and service level of the international canals;
3. pay more attention to the development of high-quality seafarers to copewith the predicted shortage in the foreseeable future; and4. take measures to reduce the impact of international conflicts on maritimetransport.
Only by concerted actions taken by stakeholders of the shipping industry, can wecope with the challenges ahead and continue to play a vital role in ensuring theoperation of international trade as ever before.

**********For media enquiries, kindly contact:
Dylan Ow
Technical Manager
Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA)
Tel : (+65) 6325 4737
Email : information@asa.org.sg
Website : www.asianshipowners.org
Editor’s Note:
The Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA) is a voluntary organization of the shipowner associations of Australia,
China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and the Federation of ASEAN Shipowners’ Associations
comprising shipping associations of ASEAN countries.
The aims of the ASA are to promote the interests of Asian shipowners.
Between annual ASA meetings, the ongoing work is carried out by five Standing Committees:
Seafarers Committee (SC)Ship Insurance and Liability Committee (SILC)
Safe Navigation and Environment Committee (SNEC)
Shipping Policy Committee (SPC)
Ship Recycling Committee (SRC).
It has been estimated that ASA shipowners and managers control and operate around 50% of the world's cargo
carrying fleet.

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