TIM eMagazine Vol . 2 Issue 9
ICS Chairman Commends China ' s Positive Engagement With IMO
T he Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping ( ICS ), Mr Esben Poulsson , has praised the positive role played by the Chinese Government in supporting the global regulatory framework for merchant shipping provided by the UN International Maritime Organization ( IMO ). In his keynote speech to the Marintec conference in Shanghai today , Mr Poulsson welcomed China ' s close adherence to the implementation of national maritime regulations , applicable to visiting foreign-flag ships , in a manner consistent with the international maritime safety and pollution prevention Conventions adopted by IMO .
He said that China generally avoided the tendency – unfortunately displayed by some other IMO Member States – towards adopting unilateral shipping regulations at variance to rules agreed internationally .
EU Member States , for example , despite what were understood to be undertakings to the contrary , appear to be pressing ahead with the implementation of a regional CO2 data collection system for ships ( including visiting non-EU flag ships ) which is very different to that agreed by IMO for global application .
The United States , meanwhile , shows no signs of ever ratifying the IMO Ballast Water Convention , and has adopted type-approval standards for the new treatment systems required that are different to those agreed by IMO . This creates enormous practical and legal challenges for ship operators which trade to the United States .
Mr Poulsson particularly highlighted China ' s efforts to engage constructively in the development at IMO of new environmental regulations applicable to international shipping , and China ' s support for pragmatic solutions for their successful implementation worldwide .
With regard to the current development of an IMO CO2 reduction strategy for shipping , Mr Poulsson said that ' ICS was very encouraged that China , in collaboration with other important emerging economies , has come forward with its own vision of what an IMO CO2 strategy might look like , and has actually gone to the effort of developing a possible draft text .' He continued : ' We think that this text , proposed by China and others – if combined with the CO2 reduction objectives put forward by the shipping industry and other governments – could actually provide the makings of a truly ambitious agreement , which will provide a signal to the world that IMO
Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping ( ICS ), Mr Esben Poulsson
Credits : nafsgreen . gr
is very serious about reducing shipping ’ s CO2 emissions , and that it has a detailed plan for the development of further measures .'
With respect to the IMO Ballast Convention , the ICS Chairman welcomed the pragmatic approach taken by most IMO Member States , including the Government of China , which had accepted the arguments , made by ICS and others , that there is little logic – from an environmental protection standpoint – in requiring thousands of ships to comply until they can be fitted with systems that have been approved under the more stringent IMO standards which have only recently been agreed .
While commending China ' s strong engagement with IMO , which he viewed as ‘ a source for good ’, Mr Poulsson suggested that China ' s ability to contribute to positive outcomes during IMO discussions could be further strengthened if the China Shipowners ' Association became a full member of ICS , alongside its other 36 member national shipowner associations in Asia , the Americas and Europe .
' We enjoy good relations with the Chinese Government at IMO , and we very much hope that CSA will become a full member of ICS in the near future ' Mr Poulsson told the Marintec audience , which comprised both Chinese shipping industry representatives and senior government officials . ics . com
Mr Poulsson particularly highlighted China ' s efforts to engage constructively in the development at IMO of new environmental regulations applicable to international shipping , and China ' s support for pragmatic solutions for their successful implementation worldwide .
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