Asian Shipowners Forum focuses on seafarer health and safety

THE ASIAN Shipowners' Forum (ASF) Seafarers Committee, meeting in Qingdao, China, expressed concerns about the health, security and professionalism of seafarers.

Fatigue of seafarers was a problem, said the statement from the meeting, which urged Asian governments to approve the proposed resolution on the "principles of safe manning" raised at the 27th meeting of the UN's International Maritime Organisation's Assembly for adoption, and its related revisions to SOLAS (safety of life at sea) Chapter V, Regulation 14.

It asked the Asian governments to adopt the revised "Guidelines for the Application of Principles of Safe Manning" as soon as possible.

The shortage of sailors has been an increasing concern. Having more recruits is a must, but quality cannot be sacrificed. The committee strongly advised shipowners and their senior management should not overlook the importance of professional training and the implementation of stringent standard in practice. Seafarers should not be promoted too fast if they are not fully qualified.

Security, particularly on the deteriorating piracy attacks and hijackings, is another concern.

The meeting discussed the traumatic experience of seafarers especially those on vessels that had been hijacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, which not only deeply affected the mental health of the seafarers and their families, but also the carriage of world trade.

Other key topics of the meeting included how to determine the appropriate seafarer wages for sailors with different nationalities and urging all governments to ratify the necessary regulations relating to new ship certification, which was approved in the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 to be carried out in late 2011 or early 2012.

Source: SchedNet