AsianShipowners’
AssociationPress Release
One Asia, Unity in Diversity

The Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA) held its 27th Annual General Meeting on 15th May
2018 in Hong Kong, China, hosted by the Hong Kong Shipowners Association (HKSOA). Mr
Jack Hsu, the 27th ASA President, welcomed delegates of member associations and called
members to proactively work together to strengthen existing relationships with key regional
and international stakeholders, to promote sustainable international shipping, and to take aleading role in international maritime matters affecting Asian shipowners.
Protect seafarers in abandonment
The 2014 amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), which enteredinto force on 18 January 2017, require that an expeditious and effective financial security
system be put in place to ensure that shipowners provide compensation to seafarers and theirfamilies in the event of, inter alia, abandonment. In addition, under the 2014 amendments, it ismandatory for ships to carry aboard certificates and other evidence to demonstrate that thefinancial security system is in place.
A study by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) shows that a joint ILO/IMO
database recorded 55 cases of seafarer abandonment from 18 January 2017 to 17 January 2018.
Condemning these abandonment cases, the ASA SC urges further ratification of theConvention and acceptance and enforcement of the 2014 Amendments as they will assure theprotection of seafarers.
Comply with 2020 sulphur cap
Over the past few years, shipowners have had to contend with an increasingly complex
regulatory regime, but one of the most significant regulations will only come into force on 1
January 2020.
The IMO’s decision to implement a 0.50% sulphur cap on marine fuel with effect from 1
January 2020 is arguably one of the industry’s most defining moments. A great deal of work
has to be done at IMO to determine how the sulphur cap will be regulated and enforced so as
to ensure a level playing field.
In view of the global sulphur cap, refiners and bunker suppliers must ensure that compliant andsuitable fuels are made widely available well in advance of the implementation date, so thatships can bunker the new low sulphur fuel. Adequate fuel standards will be instrumental to10 Anson Road #16-18 International Plaza Singapore 079903
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achieve this. In addition to owners, charterers and fuel purchasers will need to be made awareof the technical and operational issues.
The ASA SNEC will monitor developments at the IMO very closely and urged ASA members
to work closely with their respective maritime administrations to ensure that the views of theshipping industry are considered at the IMO, including the upcoming intersessional meeting of
the IMO Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention & Response (PPR) this July.
The ASA SILC is concerned with insufficient planning and lack of understanding of safety andhealth implications which may hamper a smooth operational transition plan that cover crew
training, tank cleaning and, on some ships, equipment and/or tank modifications.
Respect and maintain International conventions
The ASA SILC believes in respecting the International Conventions which are essential for
global shipping's survival and sustainability. It is deeply concerned by decisions made by Spainand France to pass judgements or laws which contravene the statutes of the CLC and FundConventions, to which Spain and France are parties.
Such actions are clearly in contravention of international law and the Conventions, and will
greatly affect trade and there would be costs to trade with these countries, due to uncertainties
caused by their recent decisions.
Uphold free trade
The ASA SPC cautions ASA members of the growing threat of protectionism in the world
including the new Indonesian cargo reservation regulation and the US Bill to restrict thetransportation of certain energy exports. Mr Yuji Isoda, Chairman of the SPC, said, “The ASA
has grave concerns regarding recent protectionist developments in the world.” He emphasised
the importance for the shipping industry to keep long-standing international practices andmaritime free trade principles.
Enact the Hong Kong Convention
The ASA SRC reaffirmed the necessity to increase the number of yards compliant with theHong Kong International Convention for Safe and Environmentally-Sound Recycling of Ships(HKC) to meet the steady demand for ship recycling globally. ASA SRC welcomes
improvements at the Alang yards in India, where 70% are HKC-compliant, and others to be
improved by Japanese Government ODA. Ratification of the HKC by both India and Japan is
expected within the year and with the hope that China will similarly ratify in the near future.
ASA SRC will proceed with joint action with global shipowner associations in ensuring early
enactment of the HKC.
Mr Bhumindr Harinsuit, Vice-President of ASA (Asian Shipowners’ Association) andChairman of FASA (Federation of Asean Shipowners’ Associations), was elected as the 28th
ASA President. Mr John Lines, Chairman of MIAL (Maritime Industry Australia) was elected
as the Vice-President of ASA.

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

For media enquiries, kindly contact:
Captain Ang Chin Eng
Secretary General
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 ofAustralia, 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 Asian shipowners. Between annual ASA meetings, the ongoing work iscarried out by five Standing Committees: The Seafarers Committee (SC), the Ship Insurance andLiability Committee (SILC), the Safe Navigation and Environment 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