| 30 March 2007, Hanoi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joint Statement Adopted at the 10th Interim Meeting of Asian Shipowners' Forum (ASF) Ship Recycling Committee (SRC) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The 10th Interim Meeting of the ASF SRC was held in Hanoi on 30 March 2007. The meeting was attended by fifteen representatives from the ASF member associations of China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. The attendance list is attached. The Delegates attending the meeting expressed their appreciation to Vietnam Shipowners' Association for hosting the 10th interim meeting of SRC/ASF in Hanoi, Vietnam. 1. The SRC, noting the recent developments on the draft Convention on ship recycling and the Guidelines necessary under the Convention that are being developed by the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), expressed its appreciation for the strenuous efforts and energetic work of stakeholders involved in the discussions, including shipowners, shipbuilders, ship recyclers, ship equipment manufacturers, classification societies and government officials. The early adoption of a pragmatic and effective Convention is urged in order to achieve safer and more environmentally sound ship recycling operations. In this respect, the Committee urges flexibility in the Convention as it will apply to existing ships, such as the application of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials and Certification. 2. The Committee, at the same time, recognized the great importance of developing a common format for the Inventory of Hazardous Materials in ships required by the Convention as useful and helpful information to be referred to during recycling operations. The SRC, however, expressed its serious concern that, due to lack of adequate resources and expertise, it will be extremely difficult for shipowners on their own to prepare the Inventory. Other stakeholders, therefore, such as shipbuilders and ship equipment manufacturers, who have specialized knowledge of the construction of and equipment fitted to ships, should continue to provide full-scale assistance in the preparation of the Inventory. 3. The SRC also recognized that the promotion of safer and environmentally sound recycling facilities is of great importance. In this respect, it is highly appreciated that international organizations, such as the ILO and the IMO, continue to hold regional seminars in main ship recycling countries in order to increase the awareness of workers engaged in ship recycling operations. The Committee believes that such concerted efforts are sure to lead to an improved situation. 4. The Committee confirmed that Asian shipowners, as some of the leading players in the world shipping industry, will continue to discuss the ways in which shipowners can promote and encourage safer and more environmentally sound ship recycling. It also believes that as ship recycling involves different stakeholders including Flag State, Recycling State, shipowners, shipbuilders, ship equipment manufacturers, ship recyclers and classification societies, the roles of all stakeholders have to be clearly defined in further development of the draft Convention. 5. The Committee appreciated the proposal of Indonesian National Shipowners' Association, that the 11th interim meeting of the SRC will be held in Jakarta next March. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The10th Interim Meeting of the ASF Ship Recycling Committee 30 March 2007, Hanoi, Vietnum Attendance List | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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