ASA SPC
ASA Shipping Policy Committee
c/o Japanese Shipowners’ Association
Kaiun-Building, 6-4 Hirakawa-cho 2-chome
Chiyoda-ku Tokyo Japan 102-8603
E-mail : int@jsanet.or.jp
Tel:+81-3-3264-7180 Fax:+81-3-5226-9166

19 April 2022, Tokyo

MEETING SUMMARYofthe 34th Interim Meeting of the Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA)
Shipping Policy Committee (SPC)
The 34th Interim Meeting of ASA SPC was held online on 18 April 2022 due to precautionary
measures against COVID-19. The meeting was chaired by Mr Keiji Tomoda, Vice President ofthe Japanese Shipowners’ Association and participated in by 24 delegates from ASA member
associations of ASEAN, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea, as per the participants
list attached. The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 2:30 pm JST.
ASA SPC members were reminded of the importance of full compliance with all applicablecompetition laws throughout the entire programme and the meeting was conducted with counsel
present, as in previous meetings. The outline of the meeting is as follows:
1. External Factors Affecting the Shipping Industry
Current various external factors surrounding the shipping industry such as the influence of theCOVID-19 Pandemic, the Ukraine Crisis and new green responsibilities were discussed.
Delegates reaffirmed their firm determination to carry out their tasks as global logistic providers
so as to minimise supply chain disruptions in cooperation with all stakeholders, while
recognising the priority of crew safety.
2. Developments of International Maritime Policy
Broad policy issues concerning international maritime industry were discussed.
Mr Helio Vicente, Manager (Shipping Policy) of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS),
made a presentation on ICS’s recent engagements on the issues of COVID-19, protectionism,trade and so forth. Delegates appreciated ICS’s efforts to date and echoed his emphasis on theimportance of reopening the WTO negotiations for the liberalisation of maritime services assoon as possible.
With regard to the Canal Issues, the discussion concentrated on the recent developments on
tolls at the two greatest canals around the globe, the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal, bothof which underpin international logistics in an uncertain situation. Delegates reaffirmed thecritical importance for such a global infrastructure of avoiding a sudden and significant changeof the tolls and charges, as well as to secure a sufficient prior notice and appropriate
explanation by the Authorities. In this connection, Delegates expressed their confusion against-1-new surcharges introduced on 1 March 2022 with only 48 hours prior notice, then to be revisedon 1 May 2022 by the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), which resulted in roughly a 7 to 20% toll
increase for many types of vessels, in addition to a 6% tariff hike for most types of vessels,
implemented on 1 February 2022. The Committee shared its concern that high uncertainty inthe mechanism of operating the surcharge may damage the stability and reliability of the Canal,
recognised that it was enormously important for the industry to jointly raise our united voice to
the SCA and confirmed to continue tackling this issue with close cooperation with otherinternational organisations such as the ICS so as to reflect all stakeholders’ propositions. As for
the Panama Canal, Delegates were also disappointed by the proposal for the new toll system
dated 1 April 2022 by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), as the mark-up for some types ofvessels may exceed 100% in 2025, compared with the current toll. While some positiveelements are included in the proposal such as a sufficient prior notice period with a formal
consultation mechanism, Delegates shared a recognition that such a significant toll hike may
not be compatible to the long term sustainability required to a global infrastructure andconfirmed that we should submit our comments to the ACP during the formal consultation
period to urge the ACP to avoid radical rate increases, based on the current unprecedented
market condition.
3. Anti-Corruption Issue
The Committee reported recent developments on Anti-Bribery issues such as the discussion at
the IMO and activities by the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN). Delegates renewed
their determination to combat any kinds of corruption and were encouraged by a recent SCA
circular, proclaiming its zero-tolerance policy against any act of facilitation payment or gift during
the Suez Canal transit as one of the significant fruits from the efforts of all stakeholders
concerning this issue.
4. Anti-trust Immunity and US Legislative Developments
The latest developments concerning the review of the current anti-trust immunity system in a
number of jurisdictions were reported by Mr Robert K. Magovern, Vice Chair of Transportation
and Trade at Cozen O’Connor and the SPC’s legal counsel. Delegates reconfirmed the ASA’s
long-standing policy that the anti-trust immunity system for cooperative carrier shipping
agreements was indispensable for the healthy development of the liner shipping industry andthe maintenance of a reliable service to the entire trading community. The Committee
commended the ASA for its active support of industry efforts to maintain anti-trust exemptions
for liner shipping agreements and urged continued activity in this regard.
Mr Magovern also made a presentation on developments regarding recent US legislative
developments such as the pending US Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA) bills. Delegatesagreed to keep watching the developing situation.
Before the conclusion of the meeting (4:30 pm JST), the Chairman announced his intention thatthe next SPC meeting would be held in Singapore in autumn this year if the situation allowed.
***
The ASA Shipping Policy Committee (SPC) is a forum for the members of ASA associations to discuss maritime policy issues such as regulation, taxation, trade
policy, customs, canals, infrastructure and the macro economy, and policy public relations.

-2-ASA SPC
ASA Shipping Policy Committee
c/o Japanese Shipowners’ Association
Kaiun-Building, 6-4 Hirakawa-cho 2-chome
Chiyoda-ku Tokyo Japan 102-8603
E-mail : int@jsanet.or.jp
Tel:+81-3-3264-7180 Fax:+81-3-5226-9166

18 April 2022

The 34th Interim Meeting ofthe ASA Shipping Policy Committee (SPC)
via Online on 18 April 2022

Participants ListCHAIRMAN< Japanese Shipowners’ Association >Mr Keiji Tomoda

Vice President, Japanese Shipowners’ Association

MEMBERS< Federation of ASEAN Shipowners’ Association >< FASA-Malaysia >Mr James Ong Khoon Seng
Mr Shaharuzzaman Baharum(Executive Director, Harbour-Link Marine Services Sdn Bhd)
(Secretary General, FASA- Malaysia)< FASA-Vietnam >Mr Minh Nguyen Quang
Mr Tu, Duong Ngoc

(Chairman, Vietnam Ocean shipping j/s Co)(General Director, Vinaship Joint Stock Company)< Hong Kong Shipowners Association >Mr Kenny Ye(Chief Operating Officer, Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd.)< Japanese Shipowners’ Association >Mr Noriaki Yamaga
Ms Kumiko Iwasa
Mr Takahisa Shiratori
Mr Daisuke Fujihashi
Mr Motohito Mukai(Managing Executive Officer, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.)(Project General Manager, Corporate Planning Group,Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.)(Project Manager, Corporate Planning Group,
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.)(Project Manager, Corporate Planning Division,
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.)(Deputy General Manager, Corporate Planning Group,
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha)< Korea Shipowners’ Association >Mr Jin Ki, Park
Mr Kyonghoon Kim
Mr Jonghwa Lee(Chief Operating Officer (Senior Executive Vice President),
HMM CO., LTD.)(General Manager, Korea Shipowners' Association)(Deputy General Manager, Korea Shipowners' Association)< National Association of Chinese Shipowners >Mr C. K. Ong
Mr Randy Chen

(President, U-Ming Marine Transport Corp.)(Vice-Chairman, Wan Hai Lines Ltd.)ICS SECRETARIATMr Helio Vicente(Manager (Shipping Policy), International Chamber of Shipping)

ASA SECRETARIATMr Yuichi Sonoda
Mr Dylan Ow(Secretary General, Asian Shipowners’ Association)(Technical Manager, Asian Shipowners’ Association)

LEGAL COUNSELMr Robert Magovern(Attorney, Cozen O’Connor)

SECRETARIATMr Masayuki Ito
Mr Hiroyuki Yamagami
Mr Motoki Bessho
Ms Moe Murakami(General Manager, Planning Division, Japanese Shipowners' Association)(Deputy General Manager, Planning Division, Japanese Shipowners’Association)(Deputy Manager, Planning Division, Japanese Shipowners' Association)(Planning Division, Japanese Shipowners' Association)------------------------