APEC TPT-WG-16
EXPERTS GROUP ON MARITIME SAFETY
DRAFT
HIGH PRIORITY SAFETY LIST &PROPOSED INITIATIVES

At the Fourth Session of the Experts Group on Maritime Safety, High Priority Safety Items and Proposed Initiatives were considered. The Group agreed to develop and finalize them at the Fifth Session for inclusion in an Interim Report to the Ministers of Transport of the participating economies.

The following items are submitted for the consideration of the group:

(1) Economies should have properly structured maritime administrations and adequate resources allocated.

Proposed initiative - Support project proposal "To identify optimum Maritime Administrative structures and the Legal Framework for Safer Shipping in the Asia Pacific Region". When the optimum structure has been established, Performance Indicators and Bench marks for Maritime Administrations should be developed.

(2) In order to adequately implement flag State control, international maritime conventions must be ratified and appropriate laws and regulations developed by each economy.

Proposed initiative - Identify those conventions that have not been ratified and the reasons for not doing so.

(3) States should not exercise port State control until they have become effective flag States. Training should also be provided to those States that have become effective flag States and wish to exercise port State control.

Proposed Initiative - Training for states that wish to improve the effectiveness of their flag State enforcement.

(4) Effective implementation and enforcement of international maritime conventions should be consistent throughout the Region.

Proposed initiative - There should be an exchange of personnel, especially regulatory and enforcement officers, between economies.

(5) Provide assistance to those economies who require aid in implementing maritime conventions and international initiatives.

Proposed initiative - In order to determine need, use could be made of the recently developed IMO flag State self-assessment form. Future use could be made of the Performance Indicators and Benchmarks when developed.

(6) Liaison between economies should be encouraged and improved.

Proposed initiative - Use made of the Website and email list server. Informal meetings during other fora, e.g. at IMO, ILO and port State meetings. Exchange of information between economies, MOU’s and related maritime bodies.

(7) Seafarers of each economy should be adequately trained.

Proposed initiative - Support development of APEC project regarding training of seafarers. Liaise with HRD Steering Committee.

(8) Corporate agreements and MOU’s between member economies should be developed.

Proposed initiative - Development of project to identify MOU’s and agreements currently in place and propose recommendations for establishment of new agreements where necessary.

(9) Links to other maritime forums should be established and maintained.

Proposed initiative - Submit reports to maritime activities to other forums, e.g. IMO, ILO, Asia Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies Forum, OECD and Tokyo MOU on Port State Control.. Invite participation from other forums and Industry.

(10) Adequate oil spill preparedness and contingency plans should be in place for member economies.

Completed initiative - Examine existing plans between neighboring economies and develop if required. The project "Regional co-operation on Oil-Spills preparedness and Response arrangements" has identified existing arrangements and maintained on the APEC website as a living document (see also Proposed initiative in Item No. 4). Re-examine the plans in the future and amend if necessary.

(11) Shipping Companies and related businesses are encouraged to manage their operations to protect the safety of their ships and crews and in so doing protect the marine environment.

Proposed Initiative - Support development of project "Safer Shipping in the Asia Pacific Region - an integrated approach". Invite industry to present and discuss issues at future EGMS sessions.

This page was last updated on 1 Feb, 2008