In a statement to the press, ASF indicated that “While it is appreciated that coastal States may be reluctant to accept damaged or disabled ships, the longer a damaged ship is forced to remain at the mercy of the weather, the greater the risk of the ship breaking up and releasing its cargo and bunkers into the ocean.”
Highlighting the IMO guidelines stipulating the prompt provision of rescue and refuge services to damaged vessels, ASF called for Asian governments:
“To consider adopting the IMO Place of Refuge Guidelines and MAS Guidelines as a matter of urgency; to consider adopting similar measures to those prescribed in the EU VTM Directive; to prepare emergency plans and designate appropriate places of refuge (even if the names of these places are not published); to consider introducing channels of improved cooperation and communication between States, as well as with competent authorities and the parties involved in an incident, in order to facilitate decision making; and to ratify and bring into force as soon as possible the liability and compensation Conventions agreed at the IMO.”
The move follows similar calls for action to be taken over the structurally impaired, seriously fire damaged Maritime Maisie, from the vessel’s operator, MSI Ship Managment, The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Union of Maritime Insurance (IUMI) and the International Salvage Union (ISU), and classification society Lloyd’s Register.
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