Joint Media Release: "Round Table prioritises Seafarers at first in-person meeting since COVID"

Joint Media Release – 22 February 2023

“Round Table prioritises Seafarers at first in-person meeting since COVID”

The Chairs of the Round Table of International Shipping Associations met in Athens last week to renew their collaboration, in the first physical meeting since 2019.

The leaders of the major shipping industry trade associations: Paolo d’Amico, Chairman of INTERTANKO, Sabrina Chao, President of BIMCO, Dimitrios Fafalios, Chairman of INTERCARGO, and Emanuele Grimaldi, Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping, addressed a full agenda.

The group was unanimous in its emphasis on the importance of the seafaring community. Highlighting their strong common ambition to prioritise seafarers, they agreed to work together on issues addressing the criminalisation of seafarers, lessons learnt from the pandemic, training and the future availability of skilled mariners, as well as the attractiveness of seafaring careers in general.

In addition, the Round Table debated members’ positions on key industry topics ranging from decarbonisation and ship recycling to eliminating marine pollution.

Round Table participants work together to serve, represent and advance the international shipping industry. Aiming to create a responsible and respected international shipping industry by identifying areas of common interest, the Associations work together where the combined effort of the Round Table can achieve more than individual efforts.

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Notes to Editors:

The Round Table of International Shipping Associations is made up of INTERTANKO, INTERCARGO, BIMCO and ICS and aims to:

• Present the industry’s arguments in a clear, co-ordinated, consistent and unambiguous manner.
• Enhance political and public awareness of the essential role of shipping in world trade.
• Encourage a positive and respected response to the industry on the part of society at large.
• Communicate the performance of the industry.
• Provide guidance to the industry on relevant topical issues.
• Develop measures for credible and effective self-regulation within the industry whilst promoting the case for a proper balance between regulation and self-regulation.
• Support the principle of international rather than regional or unilateral regulation.
• Advance quality in shipping, and the universal commitment to maritime safety and environmental responsibility.
• Ensure that shipping provides a challenging and rewarding career for persons of commitment, initiative and enthusiasm.
• Promote the shipping industry as an attractive employer.
• Develop a closer working relationship with the industry’s partners in the “chain of responsibility”

Current coordination topics include the fair treatment of seafarers and their criminalisation, piracy, MARPOL Annex VI, greenhouse gas emissions from Ships, reception facilities, ballast water management, corruption and many more.

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Any enquiries should be directed to info@intercargo.org

About INTERCARGO: International shipping is vital for the global economy and prosperity as it transports approximately 90% of world trade. The dry bulk sector is the largest shipping sector in terms of number of ships and deadweight. Dry bulk carriers account for 43% of the world fleet (in tonnage) and carry an estimated 55% of the global transport work. Please view our latest Dry Bulk Shipping video: Sustainably serving the world’s essential needs.

The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) unites and promotes quality dry bulk shipping, bringing together more than 240 forward thinking companies from 30 countries, among which more than 150 owners/managers/operators controlling over 40% (in dwt) of the global dry bulk fleet. INTERCARGO convened for the first time in 1980 in London and has been participating with consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) since 1993. INTERCARGO provides the forum where dry bulk shipowners, managers and operators are informed about, discuss, and share concerns on key topics and regulatory challenges, especially in relation to safety, the environment, and operational excellence. The Association takes forward its members’ positions to IMO, as well as to other shipping and international industry fora, having free and fair competition as a principle.