05 Januari 2013

[050113.EN.SEA] BIMCO Sees Growth Ahead Despite Serious Overcapacity Facing Shipping

THE Baltic and International Maritime Conference (BIMCO), the world's largest shipowner association representing 65 per cent of global tonnage, said it expects growth in container shipping this year despite the influx of new ships that were ordered in better times.

BIMCO recommends the industry be regulated globally, comply with environmental regulations, provide fair treatment and education to seafarers and build strong defences against piracy.

BIMCO president Yudhishthir Khatau voiced optimism that the "worst is behind us" and that the industry outlook remains positive.

"Against the background of a world economy struggling out of the financial crisis, positive global growth of both GDP and world trade at 3.6 per cent and 4.5 per cent, respectively, encourages BIMCO to suggest that 2013 will be the turning point in macroeconomic terms," said the BIMCO document entitled "Reflections 2013".

"But despite slow steaming, layups and the recycling of vessels, it is suggested that any balance between supply and demand will not be swiftly achieved. And while highly efficient eco-ships might appear attractive, they too add to the totality of a remarkably young world fleet," the report said.

BIMCO urged keeping regulation global and avoiding tendencies towards regional and local rule-making while eschewing local and regional calls for protectionism.

"The shipping industry is working hard to improve and demonstrate its sustainability in environmental terms, although emission controls are neither easy nor cheap," report said.

BIMCO said seafarers are "unjustly criminalised after accidents and more regularly treated with disrespect by shoreside bureaucracy. The entry into force of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention in August 2013, will be a further contributor to better and fairer treatment of this essential workforce".

On piracy, BIMCO said: "The fight against piracy needs much more than Best Management Practice or armed protection. A combination of political, economic, legal and diplomatic efforts, possibly supported by military action will be needed. Let us also remember around 150 seafarers still held in terrible conditions by Somali pirates."

Source : HKSG.

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