The Federation of ASEAN Shipowners’ Associations (FASA) has come out against the Intertanko proposal to switch to distillate fuel, putting itself at odds with major Asian (but not ASEAN – Association of South East Asian Nations) shipowners’ body Hong Kong Shipowners’ Association. The Hong Kong owners have given strong public support to the Intertanko proposal.
However, in a statement issued following FASA’s annual general meeting last week, FASA says that while it “fully supports efforts to reduce air polluting emissions from ships, is concerned with Intertanko’s proposal for all ships to switch from residual fuel to distillate fuel”. It adds: “Besides substantial cost increase to shipowners, the Federation is particularly concerned whether there was any due consideration to the supply capability of the refining industry to meet the sudden increased demand for distillate fuel.”
“The Federation,” FASA says, “is in favour of a gradual reduction in the sulphur cap on residual fuel. At the same time, feasibility studies should continue into the use of abatement technologies.”
Among other topics covered FASA “was pleased to note that the incidence of piracy and armed robbery, especially those in the Malacca Strait and in ASEAN waters, has dropped substantially in the first nine months of this year”. FASA acknowledged the multilateral efforts that have been adopted to combat piracy and armed robbery and urged the three littoral countries to continue with their good works to ensure the safe navigation of ships transiting or trading in the Straits.
The meeting also welcomed the launching of the Information Sharing Centre of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP). The ReCAAP initiative aims to enhance multilateral cooperation amongst 16 regional countries in their fight against piracy and armed robbery. So far, 14 countries have ratified the agreement.