AsianShipowners’AssociationPress Release
Asia, Fight against COVID-19
The Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA) held its 29th Annual General Meeting on
28th May 2020. This was hosted by Mr David Parmeter, the 29th ASA Chairmanand Chairman of the Maritime Industry of Australia Limited (MIAL). It was also
attended by representatives from all ASA member associations. The Meeting washeld online, rather than in Darwin as previously envisaged, because of COVID-19.
The technology worked very well and the Meeting proved to be a great successdespite the circumstances.
The meeting covered a broad range of topics including the five “big issues” detailed
below. In his opening address, Mr Parmeter stressed the importance of shipping
which continues to carry over 90 percent of the global trade despite COVID-19 andencouraged everyone to stay strong and united to combat against world’s invisible
enemy – the coronavirus.
Seafarers’ repatriation as “Key/Essential/Frontline Workers” during COVID-19
As the COVID-19 sweeps across the globe, seafarers continue to work tirelessly
ensuring the world supply chain is functioning without massive disruption. But rightnow, over 150,000 seafarers who have completed their contractual tours of duty, areunable to get home because of various governments' travel restrictions. This figure
is increasing every single day. The ASA strongly urges all governments toimplement the recent IMO Circular Letter No.4204/Add.14 – Recommended
framework of protocols for ensuring safe ship crew changes and travel during thecoronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic - at their earliest opportunities, especially thosecountries which are major sources of seafarers and those which have been hubs forcrew changes. This shall eliminate the risk of interruptions to the transport of vitallyneeded food, clothing, energy fuels and other essentials for the world economy andthe people's daily life.
Navigation towards a sustainable shipping
Today, the world shipping industry, which has not entirely recovered from thefinancial crisis of 2008 and 2009, faces an even greater challenges by the COVID19. Whilst the human and economic cost of the pandemic is horrifying, there is atleast one silver lining for shipping. This is that carbon emissions from shipping haveplummeted. The ASA stresses that, as we emerge from the pandemic, we must
make every effort to continue our efforts towards carbon-free shipping that arepractical and implementable as we navigate a sustainable future together.
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The Hong Kong Convention (HKC)The ASA strongly welcomes India’s recent ratification of the HKC, which is a major
move towards “green ship-recycling” of obsolete vessels. The ASA emphasises that
it is essential to continue motivating China and Bangladesh to sign up for thisimportant convention and encourages the Asian shipowners to promote usage of
HKC compliant yards, for boosting an early enactment of the HKC.
Stability of toll system in the global waterways
The ASA notes the recent toll hikes of the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal, twomajor waterways on the globe underpinning the world trade. Especially regarding
the Panama Canal’s new charges introduced in February 2020, the ASA expresses
its dismay at the hasty introduction (with the only one month's advance notice andwithout any prior consultations with the users) despite its significant financial impacts
on the industry. The ASA urges the Canal’s Administrator to listen to its users whoare calling for the reconsiderations and modifications of its charges.
Piracy threats in West Africa
Violent attacks on vessels and their crews by pirates infesting in the Gulf of Guinea(off the West Africa) have become increasingly frequent. The pirates have become
more and more emboldened with every successful attacks. The local governments
have, so far, been unable to put an end to this menace. The human cost isenormous and the cost of vessel callings at many West African ports are escalating
due to soaring insurance premiums and added securities onboard ships. This will
inhibit the trade to the area which is clearly an extraordinary problem for thecountries and their people. The ASA therefore calls upon the International Maritime
Organisation (IMO) as a matter of urgency to add this issue to all its high-levelmeetings and to urge its Member States in the region to take their actions to curtailthe threats facing by merchant vessels calling at ports in the region.
Mr Tadaaki Naito, President of Japanese Shipowners’ Association was appointed as
the 30th ASA Chairman. Mr Tae Soon CHUNG, Chairman of Korea Shipowners’
Association was appointed as the Vice-Chairman of ASA. The next ASA AGM will
be held in Japan.
********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, India, 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 Asianshipowners. Between annual ASA meetings, the ongoing work is carried out by five Standing Committees: The
Seafarers Committee (SC), the Ship Insurance and Liability Committee (SILC), the Safe Navigation andEnvironment Committee (SNEC), the Shipping Policy Committee (SPC), and the 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.

10 Anson Road #16-18 International Plaza Singapore 079903
Tel +65 63254737 Fax +65 63254451
Email: information@asa.org.sg Website: www.asianshipowners.org