Asean shipowners tackle security issue at Manila meet

Shipowners from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will meet in Manila from Dec. 11 to 13 to map out plans for maritime security amidst mounting threat of terrorism.

Suicide bombing incidents in Southeast Asia has significantly increased the terrorist danger in the region which requires firm action, meet organizers said.

Carlos Salinas, president of the Filipino Shipowners Associations (FSA) which will host the 28th annual general meeting of the Federation of ASEAN Shipowners Association (FASA), said this year’s forum will mark the first time that maritime security will be discussed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

National Security Adviser Roilo Golez will conduct a seminar on maritime security and safety as a national policy of the government, while representatives from the US Coast Guard and the US Customs will brief meet participants on the entry and exit of ships and their cargo to and from the US ports.

Part of the event is the 9th Asian Shipowners Forum (ASF) on safe navigation and an environment committee meeting where FASA is the current chairman.

Established in 1975, FASA is an aggrupation of the national shipowners associations in the ASEAN region namely the Indonesian National Shipowners Association (INSA), Malaysian Shipowners Association (MASA), Singapore Shipowners Association (SSA), Thai Shipowners Association (TSA), Vietnam Shipowners Association (VSA), Myanmar Five Star Lines (MFSL) and the FSA.

The ASF is composed of the China Shipowners Association (CSA), Hong Kong Shipowners Association (HKSA), Japanese Shipowners Association (JSA), Korea Shipowners Association (KSA), National Association of Chinese Shipowners (NACS), Australia Shipowners Association and the FASA.

FASA hopes to work closely with the various governments and the members of the ASF to ensure that the overall interest of ASEAN shipowners and shipping are well protected, according to Salinas, who is also FASA chairman.

Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza will also grace the event on Dec. 13 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City as guest of honor at the gala dinner in honor of all the FASA and ASF delegates and guests. –Nestor Etolle