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A
recent meeting of shipowners in Asia
noted that although there were signs
of a recovery in the world economy
and cargo movement/vessel
utilization ratio, the world
container shipping industry was
still being confronted with the
serious problem of overcapacity.
“Whilst
noting that voluntary vessel
withdrawal programmes had been
implemented in various container
trade lanes, the meeting reaffirmed
the continued desirability of
further efforts of vessel
rationalization both on an
individual decision basis and in
cooperation with other carriers
within authorized carrier
agreements,” the Asian Shipowners’
Forum noted at its 11th meeting
held in Taipeh, Taiwan.
The
ASF agreed that Asian shipowners
must demonstrate their determination
to continue their efforts to restore
a healthy financial situation for
the shipping industry in order for
them to ensure high-quality and safe
shipping services.
The
Asian shipowners body welcomed the
resumption of the WTO negotiations
on maritime transport as well as the
entries of China and Chinese Taipei
into WTO in November 2001.
“The
ASF continues to support free and
fair trade principles and global
liberalisation on international
trade routes with full participation
of WTO members,” a joint communiqué
issued at the end of the meeting
said.
The
meeting, which was attended by more
than 100 delegates from the 10 Asean
member countries, as well as from
Australia, China Taiwan, Japan S
Korea and Hong Kong, noted that
Asian shipowners own and operate
more than 40 per cent of the
world’s cargo carrying fleet.
“The
ASF will continue to consolidate its
role as the voice for Asian
shipowners in international shipping
issues, exerting a greater influence
on creating a new future for Asian
and international shipping and
providing a lead for world
shipping,” the communique said.
The
shipowners, while supporting the US
and other global initiatives in the
fight against terrorism, expressed
their concerns that some of the
endeavours to address the security
measures could create a serious
impact on the free and efficient
flow of shipping and trade.
The
ASF said it was very important in
designing and implementing an
effective maritime security program.
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