Conclusion of the 4th Annual Conference of ASEF
| 1. The 4th Asian Shipbuilding Experts’ Forum was held on November 17th and 18th in Kyoto, Japan. This forum was hosted by The Shipbuilders’ Association of Japan (SAJ) and Japan Ship Technology Research Association (JSTRA), with The Korea Shipbuilders’ Association (KOSHIPA) and China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry (CANSI) as co-hosts. |
| 2. Approximately 130 experts (including 50 experts from overseas) participated in this year’s forum from 9 countries including Korea, China, Japan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Sri Lanka. Majority of the participants are members of shipbuilders’ associations of respective countries, classification societies and research institutes. |
| 3. In this year’s forum, themes were selected from issues which have major impacts on shipbuilding industry, namely “Standardization of inventory of hazardous materials for newly built ships”, “Performance standards for protective coatings (PSPC) for ballast water tank”, “Goal-based ship construction standards (GBS) - Design transparency and intellectual property protection” and “GBS - Harmonized common structural rules” (HCSR) for topics of conventions and guidelines already adopted despite unresolved major issues, “Environmental FSA for oil tanker” as a topic currently discussed at IMO actively, and “Protection against noise on board ships” and “Testing of watertight compartments” as issues expecting active discussions in several years. Deliberation status at IMO on those themes were introduced and opinions were exchanged among experts. Smaller session groups were formed for further discussions among experts of each theme for ship recycling, PSPC and GBS. |
| 4. With regard to ship recycling, the action status in each country on the development of Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) as well as Materials Declaration (MD) including demonstration of software was introduced and discussions were conducted. It was recognized that a common manual for developing IHM and also common format of MD were needed. To this end, a correspondence group coordinated by SAJ was established to exchange views on this issue. |
| 5. With regard to PSPC of ballast water tank, issues arisen from implementation of PSPC, including proposal of alternative methods to those stipulated in current PSPC, were discussed. To exchange views on issues on PSPC towards better rules and regulations, it was suggested that a communication group be established. |
| 6. On GBS - Design transparency and intellectual property protection, ship construction file (SCF) guidelines approved at MSC87 and the result of Tripartite Tokyo 2010 were introduced and mutual understandings were gained on the coordination status in the industry. |
| 7. Further, on GBS, HCSR development plan by IACS was introduced, and the necessity for Asian shipbuilding industry to work in unity against IACS’s 1st draft was acknowledged. It was also acknowledged that it will be necessary to cooperate to examine into detail for early deadline of feedback from industry. |
| 8. On the matter of Environmental FSA for oil tanker, the impact on the design of ship hull structures inflicted by excessive judgment criteria proposed under the leadership of Northern European countries, and adequacy of Risk Control Option (RCOs) including enhancement of ship hull structures were introduced, and promoted the awareness of the issues among the participants. |
| 9. On the matter of Protection against noise on board ships, problems from a technical perspective, and concerns and consideration from Japan, China, CESA and other parties, as well as the original proposal were introduced and the awareness of the issues was gained. |
| 10. Regarding Testing of watertight compartments, a proposal of revision to SOLAS and introduction of related guidelines by IACS and concerns of EMSA were introduced and the awareness of the issues was gained. |
| 11. IACS chairman has expressed his expectations towards ASEF as a body organized from Asian shipbuilding experts for a role it is to play in formulating balanced regulations in maritime fields as well as the basic action policy of IACS. |
| 12. Indonesian experts made presentation on the action status toward international regulations in Indonesia - STAR 50: A Technical Evolution Process of Handy Max Bulk Carrier. |
| 13. On the matter of NGO status, the privileges and responsibilities of NGO as well as other existing NGOs such as CESA, which represents shipbuilding industry, were introduced. In addition, during the period of the forum, Japan, Korea and China had a discussion over how to deal with the NGO status. As a result, it was agreed that WG/CG be established in order to study about NGO matters. The WG/CG are comprised of Japan, Korea, China, and other member countries which express their intention to participate in. |
| 14. Through this year’s forum, common understandings were gained on various issues that exert impacts on Asian shipbuilding industry. ASEF was also able to construct new frameworks for deliberation into specifics, including establishment of WG/CG (for study) for resolving issues. This is another major progress achieved in this forum. Further activation of ASEF activity is expected through group activities on specific issues, in addition to annual forum. |
| 15. KOSHIPA expressed its intention to host the 5th annual conference of ASEF in Korea in 2011. |
| 16. Lastly, The Shipbuilders’ Association of Japan and Japan Ship Technology Research Association would like to extend cordial appreciation to the co-hosts, The Korea Shipbuilders’ Association and China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry, the participants and the Nippon Foundation, which provides support towards ASEF activity. |