Hong Kong: The principle of Quality Coastal States which deliver proper treatment for ships and seafarers has been endorsed by the BIMCO Executive at the BIMCO General Meeting in Hong Kong this week. BIMCO says it believes that the time is right to draw attention to the responsibilities of coastal states to encourage safe and secure shipping and promote the protection of the marine environment.
BIMCO says it will take this concept forward, believing that such a Quality Coastal State would have in place a range of essential services for the proper treatment of ships such as waste reception facilities, policies on refuge, innocent passage and aids to navigation. It would also provide fair treatment for seafarers in the event of any incident.
The BIMCO meeting, attended by members from around the world, also approved changes to the 102 year old organisation's rules. One change provides for the quality of Owner members' ships to be assessed by a vetting process once every year. BIMCO says: "This vetting process will ensure that BIMCO continues to be recognized as an organization committed to high standards and a forum for quality ship owners." [07/06/07]
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