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SCMP Reporter

THE Asian Shipowners' Forum (ASF) is to set up an insurance committee to protect the interests of shipowners and promote the marine insurance industry in the region.

   The Hong Kong Shipowners' Association (HKSOA) has agreed to chair the committee, with Philippine and Australian bodies as deputies.

   The decision to set up the committee was taken at the third ASF meeting, held in Beijing last week.

   Hong Kong had pushed hard for setting up the committee at the forum's second meeting in Seoul last May, but lack of time prevented detailed discussions on the subject, said HKSOA director Michael Farlie on his return from Beijing.

   ''The subject was put on the agenda of the Beijing meeting and we volunteered to take on the task,'' he said.

   Study papers would be drawn up over the next six months and circulated among the members for further discussion, Mr Farlie said.

   Shipping industry sources said there was a feeling the P&I clubs were dominated by the Europeans.

   The meeting, hosted by the China Shipowners' Association, was attended by a record 71 top-ranking delegates from the major world shipping circles.

   They represented 11 Asian shipowners' associations, including those from Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

   According to a communique issued after the meeting, the delegates showed an interest in seeking ways of conducting dialogue with ASF's counterparts in the US and Europe when appropriate.

   They also agreed to make a submission on ASF's common position to the European Commission.

   As to the setting up of a permanent ASF office, all delegates agreed to defer the subject until the next meeting, which will be held in Taipei next May.

   ''Asian shipowners should exchange information on a broader basis and build up closer co-operation in solving the problems concerning recruitment and training of seafarers,'' the communique said.

   The delegates shared the view that the supply of qualified seamen and the enhancement of their training remained an important issue.

   ''They firmly believe that it would be beneficial to the shipowners of the ASF region if their members could actively share the seafarer training system, their quality improvement scheme and marine officers' skills, in particular those pertaining to automated ships.''    The meeting encouraged all shipowners with strong financial backgrounds to make adequate investments in those countries and regions which had facilities for professional training and ample human resources.

   In this respect, India, Bangladesh and the Philippines were cited by most members.

   ''The purpose is to support and assist those areas to train and reserve highly qualified seamen for shipowners in need of them,'' the communique said.



Committee to protect shipowners