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7) Free Discussion
After the presentations by each country, Ms Sonia Malaluan chaired the open discussion on additional questions and clarifications on the presentations made and following issues ; 1) Issue on demolishing / recycling of domestic voyage vessels, 2) Issue on the regulations of river-going vessels and sea vessels, as well as Search and Rescue operation and handling of crime. 3) Harmonization of domestic regulations in view of international voyage using rivers.
SOF requested the organization chart of maritime safety and environmental protection of each country. For this, it was agreed that each country would respond to such request earnestly using WMU network.
Highlight of the discussion / exchange of views & information
●It can be said that there is no uniform rules & regulations for smaller ships in different countries.
●Any classification / details on the organizational structure of the maritime administration can be conversed through the participants of each country.
●A query was raised on how Japan decommissioned ships or what were the policies on ship breaking, in view of the recycling policy.
●Mr. Ishida of Japan MLIT explained the current activities being undertaken by Japan on this matter.
■Ship recycling is categorized into two groups: the big ships and smaller ships.
■For big ships, it is easier to demolish. However, responsibilities are being divided among ship owners, government and other organizations concerned, also identifying the substances or list of substances
■While for smaller ships like FRP which is one of the problems in Japan, durability is high but substance is difficult to treat. MLIT is studying the disposal of FRP ships, since substance can be used as raw material for cement.
●Only Vietnam has 2 organizations handling search and rescue operations.
●Thailand proposed that rules for domestic ships be harmonized in preparation for the development of multi-modal transport in the region.
●It was clarified that former harbour department of Thailand is now re-named Marine Department.
●Again, Vietnam has two agencies handling sea going ships and the other for river going ships. The set-up creates overlap of functions, unlike the other countries wherein only one agency handles both. The same situation existed in Japan except Japan has identified the jurisdiction border of the two agencies / departments.
●Singapore representative discussed very the different divisions in charge of maritime administration such as for policy, technology, IT, training port traffic and shipping, as follows.
Maritime And Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was formed in 1996 with the merger of the then Marine Department, the National Maritime Board (NMB) and the Port Division of Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) before PSA was privatized to become PSA Corporation. NMB was responsible for training and welfare of seamen.
After the merger, MPA became a regulatory body for port activities, training of maritime personnel, shipping matters, marine pollution, etc.
Singapore is a small Island State of 600 square kilometers. It has a peculiar situation as compared to other maritime countries. It has no inland waterways. Domestic voyages are voyages within the port. A short voyage outside the port limit will, in most cases, enter the waters of neighboring State and is considered as an international voyage and regulations for international voyages apply.
Singapore lies at the crossroads of international sea lanes. Anytime of the day there are about 800 ships in the port. On average there are about 140,000 ship visits (including repeated visits) a year. Hence, Singapore is very sensitive to shipping accidents.
Singapore is a party to all major IMO conventions. 9 classification societies, namely. ABS, BV, CCS. DNV, GL, LR, NK, KR and RINA are authorised to survey ships and issued certificates on behalf of the Singapore governments. Singapore also has national regulations for ships below convention sizes and port limit passenger ships.
Singapore will implement the ISPS Code rigorously. Ship owners are encouraged to comply early to avoid the last minute rush. 8 classification societies (ABS, BV, CCS, DNV, GL, LR, NK, KR) had been appointed as Recognised Security Organisations (RSO) for certification of Singapore ships under the Code. One ship has already been certified. From Jan 2004, Port State control officers will include checking of status of compliance with the Code to assess the status of foreign ships. Masters of non-compliant ships will be told to take action to comply early, and that non-compliant ships will not be allowed to enter port from 1 Jul 2004. Until Jul 2004, no action will be taken against non-compliant ships.
For general information arising from the discussion on safety regulations for domestic and inland waterways:
IMO published “Safety Regulations for Non-Convention Sized Ships” in 1997 after three rounds of seminars at Bangkok, Mumbai and Teheran.
●Lastly, Indonesia requested Japan to provide a brief background on how the Japan Coast Guard has been established and the distinction of the functions of the JCG as compared to the functions of the maritime police.
2nd DAY MEETING
8) Discussion on Agendum 2 on promotion of information exchange on maritime safety and marine environmental protection.
Under the chairpersonship of Mr Ishida, vigorous discussion was held on the following topics.
a. Double Hull regulations for the small tanker (600-5000 DW) carrying heavy grades oil.
b. AFS convention
c. Exhausted gas (MARPOL Annex VI)
d. Fishing vessel safety (Torremolinos convention / protocol)
e. ISPS code (SOLAS chapter X1-2)
f. Marine accident statistics
g. IMO discussions and positions of Asia
h. Ship surveyor and PSC officer
For the agendum of the next meeting, the following topics were proposed.
i) Impact of technology innovation of ships and port towards the safety and environmental regulations
ii) Training of ship surveyor and PSC Officers
iii) Implementation of ISPS code
6. Summary.
Chaired by Mr. Uesono, the participants reviewed the draft minutes of the meeting and approved it unanimously, and came to share the following recognitions:
●Whether or not the participant countries become parties related international conventions, it is of primary importance for each of the countries to pursue utmost efforts to ensure maritime safety and marine environment protection under the current circumstances in the respective countries, and
●To promote maritime information exchange among the South East Asian countries, the participants recognize the usefulness and importance of expert meetings based on the trans-border comradeship of WMU graduates, and will endeavor to make known the results of the present meeting to the peers and the people concerned in their own countries.
In appreciation of supports from The Nippon Foundation, SOF and CAJS, the participants voiced the expectation that expert meetings on various maritime topics be held continually or at regular intervals in the future.
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