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__________________________________________________________
21 May 2013
Mumbai, India
For Immediate Release

PRESS RELEASE
The 22nd Annual Meeting of the Asian Shipowners’ Forum (ASF) was held in
Mumbai on 21 May 2013. It was hosted by the Indian National Shipowners’Association (INSA).
Mr Atul Agarwal, Chairman of 22nd ASF, welcomed the delegates of member
associations and said, “Asia’s growing stake in the international shipping will continue
to be underpinned by Asia’s role in driving world trade.”
At the meeting, shipowners addressed major issues, including safety, security andthe environment, currently facing the shipping industry.

PiracyThe Forum discussed recent reports and while noting that piratical activities off East
Africa would appear to have abated, urged shipowners to remain vigilant andcontinue to apply BMP4 when transiting the area. In addition, the Forum urged
governments and all stakeholders to continue exercising strong political will toresolve the problem.
Noting that there are still about 62 seafarers held in captivity by the Somali pirates on
ships and ashore, Mr Fu Xiangyang, Chairman of the Seafarers Committee,
expressed the urgent need for the international community to take decisive action toseek their release.
The Forum is deeply concerned with the increasing number of pirate attacks in theGulf of Guinea over the last two years. Mr Patrick Phoon, Chairman of the Safe
Navigation and Environment Committee, strongly emphasized, “The littoral States,
Page 1 of 3

the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the United Nations (UN) must act
on this problem and deal with it quickly whilst it is still developing.”
Environment
The Meeting is pleased to note that the IMO, during its 65th Marine Environment
Protection Committee (MEPC) Meeting, agreed a text for an Assembly Resolutionthat would facilitate a practical timetable for the smooth implementation of the Ballast
Water Management Convention.
The Meeting was concerned about the recent discussions on regional legislation toreduce air emissions, including Monitoring, Reporting and Verification System (MRV),and urges the international community to ensure global legislation is developed
under the authority and leadership of the IMO.
The ASF wishes to stress that it is not in favour of Market Based Measures (MBM)
based on trading systems, either regional or global. In this respect, the ASF is of thestrong view that the IMO should respect the interest of international shipping andprevent the proliferation of any regional or unilateral rules.
Ship Recycling
The Forum was pleased to note the decision taken by the European Parliament toreject the levy proposed in the draft EU Ship Recycling regulation. Dr Frank F H Lu,Chairman of Ship Recycling Committee, said, “The global ship recycling regime
under the Hong Kong Convention is the fastest and surest way to encourage
environmentally friendly ship recycling without compromising ship recycling capacity.”

Canal Tolls
The Shipping Economics Review Committee expressed its grave concern over
the toll increase of the Suez Canal implemented on 1 May 2013 and the Panama
Canal Authority’s insistence on their toll increase from 1 October 2013. Mr Yasumi
Kudo, Chairman of the Shipping Economics Review Committee, said “The CanalAuthorities, as competent and responsible administrators of public infrastructure ofglobal trade, should seriously listen to the voices of Canal users and governments ofinterested countries to build up the customer focus, transparent toll structure andpredictability amidst a continuous stagnant shipping market.”

Facilitation of Movement of Seafarers
The Forum noted the difficulties that ASF members experience in making
arrangements for the transit and shore leave of their seafarers especially in theSchengen area and the United States. Mr Fu Xiangyang commented, “ASF willcontinue to collect specific information of such difficulties in order to encourage thePage 2 of 3

necessary debate within the ILO and the IMO Facilitation Committee to resolve thesituation.”
ASF Chairmanship
Mr Akimitsu Ashida, President of Japanese Shipowners’ Association, has been
elected as the Chairman of the 23rd ASF. Mr Youn-Jae Lee, Chairman of Korea
Shipowners’ Association, has been elected as the Vice-Chairman of the 23rd ASF.
Their terms of office shall begin from 22 May 2013 until the next ASF Annual General
Meeting in 2014.
********_______________________________________________________________________________For media enquiries, kindly contact:
Elvin Tan
Executive Officer
Asian Shipowners’ Forum (ASF)
Tel
EmailWebsite:::(+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.

Page 3 of 3