2020: Asian Shipowners’ Association ‘concerned’

The Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA) Wednesday voiced concerns over the current state of planning for the industry to meet the International Maritime Organization (IMO) 0.50% sulphur cap on marine fuel by 1 January 2020.

“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,” it says.

“In view of the global sulphur cap, refiners and bunker suppliers must ensure that compliant and suitable fuels are made widely available well in advance of the implementation date, so that ships can bunker the new low sulphur fuel.

“Adequate fuel standards will be instrumental to achieve this. In addition to owners, charterers and fuel purchasers will need to be made aware of the technical and operational issues.”

The Ship Insurance and Liability Committee (SILC) of the organisation is concerned over insufficient planning and lack of understanding of safety and health implications which may hamper a smooth operational transition plan that cover crew training, tank cleaning and, on some ships, equipment and/or tank modifications.

The Safe Navigation and Environmental Committee (SNEC) says it 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 the shipping 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 consists of eight members from the shipowners’ associations of Asia Pacific nations i.e. Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei and Federation of ASEAN Shipowners’ Associations (FASA).

Photo credit: Asian Shipowners’ Association
Published: 17 May, 2018