Asian shipping industry's voice to be put on the global maritime stage at Sea Asia 2009
Updated: 11th June 2008, 1600hrs,
by Rachel Ang
93.8 Live
Asian countries currently control 45 per cent of the world's shipping fleet, and account for half of the world's ship orders.
With the rising Asian influence in the maritime industry, an international conference to be held in Singapore next year will discuss raising the Asian shipping industry's voice in the global maritime stage.
Jointly organised by SeaTrade and the Singapore Maritime Foundation, Sea Asia 2009 expects to receive more than 10 thousand delegates from over 45 countries.
The conference to be held at Suntec City, will focus on the shift of the shipping and maritime activity to Asian countries as well as other pressing issues.
Chairman of the Singapore Maritime Foundation Mr. S.S Teo, says Asian shipowners who operate almost half the world merchant fleet, feel that their views and interests must be better reflected at the international shipping forums.
"Asia controls more than 50 per cent of the new vessels to be delivered, so its important that Asian project our voice in international shipping matters. It's not a matter of we against the world, but we know traditionally Asia is not actively participating in international maritime affairs and also not voicing their opinions. So I think it's important that we project a more united a more cohesive and constructive front to the world shipping community and I think the world should welcome it."
Commenting on how rising oil prices are affecting Asian shippers, Mr Teo has this to say: "Well everybody's affected. Because with oil prices rising, our transportation costs go up. I think being a major maritime hub, hopefully when shipping line optimises in sailing especially on container side, we can attract more trans shipping to come here. (which sectors were the most adversely affected?) I would say the container liner shipping. Because in the bulk shipping, some of them are on the spot basis and the charterers pay for the fuel. As in the container liner shipping, it's like running a bus service, you have run whether you're full or you're not full."
Scheduled to take place in conjunction with Maritime Week, Sea Asia 2009 will be held from the 21st to the 23rd of April next year.
