The 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA) took place on May 16th in Shanghai, with much of the discussions centred around the safety of seafarers. The meeting was hosted by the China Shipowners’ Association (CSA) and attracted more than 230 representatives from ASA Ordinary/Associate members across Asia. The main concerns raised were the unfair treatment of seafarers and the need to tackle the increasing number of piracy and armed robbery incidents in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.
The ASA emphasized how the unfair treatment of seafarers had severe impacts on their physical and mental wellbeing and how it damages the shipping industry by impacting its ability to attract and retain qualified seafarers. In line with this concern, the ASA also predicted a shortage of STCW certified officers in the near future.
The main reason for the unfair treatment of seafarers is when they are suspected of committing maritime crimes, which often results in them being detained. Captain Yu Yihai’s case in Honduras is an ongoing example of this, where he has been imprisoned for an extended period without a trial. This is contrary to the principles of conducting trials expeditiously or releasing the detained person on bail, as laid down in the relevant international treaties.
While the ASA noted the joint efforts of ILO/IMO to develop guidelines on the fair treatment of detained seafarers suspected of committing maritime crimes, it urged the Honduran administration to follow the provisions of MLC 2006 and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982 regarding the fair treatment of seafarers. The ASA also called for the early adoption of the guidelines and stressed the need to handle Captain Yu Yihai’s case fairly and expeditiously.
Furthermore, the ASA expressed concerns about the escalating number of reported incidents of piracy and armed robberies in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore during the first quarter of 2023. It urged immediate action and called upon the three littoral governments of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore to intensify their patrols.
Piracy and armed robbery continue to pose a threat to ships and seafarers in high-risk waters and ports. The military conflict between Russia and Ukraine is also significantly impacting the safety and security of some seafarers. To address these concerns, the ASA called on all stakeholders in the shipping industry to work together to maintain the security and stability of the international shipping corridors.
The ASA called for the implementation of international standards on combating piracy and armed robbery and improving the transit efficiency and service level of the international canals. The association also urged stakeholders to pay more attention to the development of high-quality seafarers to cope with the predicted shortage in the foreseeable future. It also stressed upon taking measures to reduce the impact of international conflicts on maritime transport.
In conclusion, the ASA AGM discussed the challenges and concerns of the shipping industry in maintaining safety for seafarers. The ASA urged the necessary authorities to take immediate action to combat piracy and armed robbery. The association highlighted that the implementation of international standards and guidelines played a critical role in safeguarding the interests of seafarers and stressed their need to handle cases of detained seafarers in accordance with the relevant international treaties. The ASA looks forward to their next AGM in Hong Kong in May 2024.
