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Members of the Federation of ASEAN Shipowners’ Associations (FASA) have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the marine and air environment this week, as well as encouraging the development of sustainable technologies.

The 34th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the FASA was hosted by the Vietnam Shipowners’ Association (VSA) in Hanoi, Vietnam, on 1st December 2008.

The Meeting was attended by representatives from the Filipino Shipowners’ Association (FSA), the Indonesian National Shipowners’ Association (INSA), the Malaysia Shipowners’ Association (MASA), the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) and the Vietnam Shipowners’ Association (VSA).

Speaking at his welcome address at the opening of the FASA 34th AGM, Dr Duong Chi Dzung, Chairman of FASA and VSA said “Shipping and trade have not been spared from the chaos caused by the financial markets in the US, Europe and other parts of the world. As FASA shipowners, we will need to take urgent steps and brace ourselves for turbulence in our industry.”

He added, “Despite the bleak global outlook, FASA will remain focused on issues relating to safe navigation of ships and the protection of our marine and air environment.”

FASA reaffirmed its strong commitment to protecting the marine and air environment. The meeting, encouraged sustainable technologies to be developed in this regard but stressed that any measures recommended should be the result of careful and thorough study, and should have clearly defined short-term and long – term goals that are realistic, pragmatic and implementable.

FASA was also encouraged by the progress made at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in dealing with issues concerning gas emissions from ships. It was pleased to note that the IMO had unanimously agreed on the amendments to MARPOL Annex VI which set out measures to reduce Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxide, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter emitted from ships.

The Meeting was further encouraged that progress had been made at the IMO to deal with greenhouse gas emissions, in particular Carbon Dioxide (CO2), which causes global warming.

It was satisfied with the good efforts made to develop a CO2 Design index for new buildings and a CO2 Operational index for existing ships.

Meanwhile, the meeting noted that other market based mechanisms are being considered and will be further discussed at future IMO meetings.

During the AGM, members also expressed deep concerns regarding the increase in piracy and hijackings on ships trading and transiting through the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia.

The meeting strongly condemned these acts saying that it not only seriously threatened the safe navigation of ships but also put at high risk the lives of the crew on board.

The meeting was encouraged by the UN Security Council Resolutions 1816 and 1838 which calls on all states interested in the security of maritime activities to deploy naval vessels and military aircraft, and to cooperate with Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government to fight piracy on the high seas off the coast of Somalia.

"FASA believes that if this piracy problem is not addressed urgently, it will worsen the current global economic crisis. In this regard, FASA urges all maritime nations to exercise strong political will to combat this problem. Governments are further urged to reinforce and strengthen the coalition naval and air forces to provide urgently needed coordinated patrol and surveillance to ensure the safety of ships and crew trading through the Gulf," FASA said in a statement.

The next meeting of FASA will be the 39th Executive Committee which will be held in Tainan, Taiwan on 25th May 2009.