Subscribe to RSS feedAsian shipowners on course for IMO seat
Asian shipowners are on course to get a seat at the International Maritime Organization at the end of this year, in a move that should significantly strengthen their influence at the United Nations body.
The Asian Shipowners’ Forum, which represents eight shipowner groups including those in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea, applied for observer status at the IMO last year.
IMO secretary-general Efthimios Mitropoulos said the application would be considered by the IMO council meeting between June 29 and July 3.
Assuming the council approved the application, Mr Mitropoulos said it would then go before the full IMO assembly, taking place between November 23 and December 4, for the final green light.
Speaking after the IMO diplomatic conference in Hong Kong, he agreed the forum could become an IMO observer by the end of this year.
If successful, the ASF will join organisations such as Intertanko and the International Association of Maritime Universities, which already have observer status at the IMO.
No details have been revealed on how it plans to make use of its observer status, nor if it plans to appoint a representative at IMO meetings.
But the issue will be raised at the group’s next annual meeting, in Tainan on May 25-27.
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