ABS, USCG and AMSA Hold Joint Seminars Across Asia

ABS, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) jointly hosted seminars in Yokohama, Japan; Busan, Korea and Shanghai, China in mid-June. 

Attended by shipowners, shipyards, designers, operators and members of the media, the seminars provided participants with an update on the latest regulatory developments and served as a platform for industry stakeholders to discuss today’s most pressing operational and environmental challenges. 

ABS Greater China Division Regional Vice President Paul Karam opened the Shanghai seminar, welcoming all of the speakers and participants. “ABS continuously evaluates the impact of regulatory developments so that we are well prepared to assist our clients,” said Karam. In Yokohama, ABS Vice President of Japan Akira Akiyama welcomed attendees, with ABS Vice President of Korea Andre Han delivering opening remarks in Busan.

Notable presenters during the seminars included Jin Wang, ABS Managing Principal Engineer of Corporate Technology, who spoke about the ABS CyberSafety® program and shared her insights on the increasing industry attention on smart ships and autonomous vessels. She noted, “More automation, smart technologies and greater autonomy will drive industry’s continuous evolution and shape the future of shipping.”

Reza Vind, AMSA Manager of Operations, also presented, addressing ship risk assessments, 2016 AMSA Port State Control (PSC) inspection statistics and PSC deficiencies. He also provided some suggestions on PSC inspections. Reza Vind said, “The crew should be fully aware of the ship and how everything works. Before the inspection commences, all defective equipment should be disclosed.” Vind added, “It is important for crew to understand what the deficiencies mean.”

USCG representative Regina Bergner discussed U.S. pollution prevention programs, providing an overview of regulations related to sewage, garbage, air emissions and ballast water management (BWM). Bergner's presentation focused on the U.S. ballast water program and the upcoming ratification of the IMO Ballast Water Convention in September 2017. 

Captain Lee Boone, Commanding Officer and LT Jason Ryu, Advanced Journeyman Marine Inspector of USCG Activities Far East presented on the U.S. PSC compliance issues in the Japan seminar, with Eugen Chung, Commanding Officer of USCG Activities Far East presented the same topic at the Korea seminar, delivering the 2016 PSC results of the U.S. including detainable deficiencies, BWM compliance cases and statistics, MARPOL Annex I & VI cases and statistics.