JOINT STATEMENT
(Adopted)
The ASF Seafarers Committee held its 15th interim meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam on Thursday,
19th November 2009. The meeting was hosted by the Vietnam Shipowners Association (VSA)
and was presided by Mr. Li Shanmin (CSA), chairman of Seafarers Committee.
Delegates from ASF member associations of China (CSA), Hong Kong (HKSOA), Japan
(JSA), Chinese Taipei (NACS) and the Federation of ASEAN Shipowners’ Associations
(FASA), as represented by the shipowner associations of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore and Vietnam, attended the meeting together with the Secretary-General of the ASF.
Written submissions were received from India (INSA), which was not able to attend the
meeting.
The Committee noted with strong concern the continuing attacks on ships in the Gulf of Aden
and the Indian Ocean, which represent a severe threat to the safety of ships trading through
these areas. The Committee expressed its particular concern over the effect on seafarers
during the transit of areas where there is a threat of piracy or attack, the potential
psychological effect on seafarers and their families during hostage situation and the potential
effect on seafarers’ psychological health after being held hostage. The Committee urged
companies not to underestimate these effects, and encouraged the development of suitable
guidelines within the industry to assist companies and seafarers to better handle such
situations.
The Committee discussed the current status of the work of the IMO’s STW Committee in its
comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code. In particular, Members support
the work to consolidate the two instruments of ILO C180 and STCW provisions on the hours
of work and/or rest for better record keeping and compliance purposes.
15th interim meeting of the ASF Seafarers Committee (Hanoi, 18-20 November 2009) 2
The Committee noted that an inter-industry shore leave access working group has been
formed in order to better address the instances where seafarers are not permitted full shore
leave in accordance with the various international instruments. The Committee encouraged all
Asian owners and managers to report all instances where shore leave is impossible or difficult
to obtain. The Committee welcomed the development of new guidance by some
Administrations for the coordination of crew access, which is seen as a positive step forward
for seafarers to be able to gain shore leave access.
The Committee is pleased to note the progress towards the entry into force of the Maritime
Labour Convention, 2006 and encourages all ASF members to continue to work with their
individual countries or regions to achieve early ratification of the Convention.
The Committee noted with concern the increasing number of incidents where seafarers are not
treated fairly or in accordance with their human rights. It is a well accepted principle that
seafarers should be considered to be a special category of worker, because they have to work
globally and could be subject to many different jurisdictions. The Committee urges all
Administrations to closely follow the ILO/IMO Guidelines on the Fair Treatment of Seafarers
Following a Maritime Accident, particularly in instances where a maritime accident affects
the local coastline.
The Committee took note of the review of IMO Resolution A.890(21) ‘Principles of Safe
Manning’, as amended by Resolution A.955(23), and the development of a preliminary draft
revised Assembly Resolution. The Committee noted that the STW Sub-committee will
consider whether to make the Resolution mandatory, and expressed concern about the
potential difficulties that shipowners might have to provide task-based information when
applying for safe manning documents from their Administration.
The Committee noted the results/progress of the ILO minimum wage negotiations in the JMC
earlier this year as well as the outcome of the IBF negotiations. The Committee considered
that in the current global economic climate, which is causing heavy losses to many
shipowners including Asian shipowners, this is not the appropriate time to consider any rise in
the ILO minimum wage or any other labour conditions in order to protect employment as
much as possible. The Committee reiterates its position that the employment conditions of
seafarers should be consistent with the current market, economic and living situation of each
country/region where the seafarers are domiciled.
The Committee noted with concern the imminent enactment by the Philippine Congress of the
proposed amendments to the Migrant Workers Act (RA8042). These amendments did not
pass the usual consultation within the manning industry which is an affected stakeholder.
15th interim meeting of the ASF Seafarers Committee (Hanoi, 18-20 November 2009) 3
Some provisions of the amendments will have a substantial negative impact on the
deployment of Filipino seafarers and therefore affect the supply of Filipino seafarers to the
world fleet. The Committee urges the Philippine Congress to review its decision, particularly
how it adversely affects Filipino seafarers.
The Committee was encouraged by the active cooperation between the governments, the
training institutions and shipowners in the region in the employment and training of seafarers.
The Committee was also pleased to note that governmental incentive schemes to attract more
young people to join the sea-going career had been put in place in many member countries,
and considered that this essential support would assist in the continued promotion of the
supply and employment of Asian seafarers. The Committee urges ASF members to maintain
recruitment and training initiatives despite the present economic downturn.
The Committee accepted the offer from China Shipowners Association to host the 16th interim
meeting of the Committee in Qingdao in the autumn of 2010. The Committee expressed its
gratitude to the Vietnam Shipowners Association (VSA) for its kindness and generosity in
hosting the 15th interim meeting in Hanoi.
19th November 2009
Editor’s note:
The Asian Shipowners Forum is a voluntary organization of the shipowner associations of
Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, and the Federation of
ASEAN Shipowner Associations, comprising the Shipowner Associations of the ASEAN
countries. The aims of the ASF are to promote the interests of the Asian shipowning industries.
Between annual ASF meetings, the ongoing work is carried out by five Standing Committees;
the Shipping Economics Review Committee, the Seafarers Committee, the Ship Recycling
Committee, the Safe Navigation and Environment Committee, and the Ship Insurance and
Liability Committee. The main objectives of the Seafarers Committee are to ensure and
maintain common standards of training, to promote the stability of employment, the
acceptance and well-being of Asian seafarers, and to monitor, consider and comment upon
any new international maritime legislation and convention on manning and training. It has
been estimated that ASF owners and managers control and operate around 50% of the
world’s cargo carrying fleet.
For more information about this press release, please contact Gilbert Feng, Secretary of the
Committee, at the above contact details.
- Ends -