The Filipino Shipowners Association (FSA) has joined the global call
The Filipino Shipowners Association (FSA) has joined the global call for the reduction of greenhouse emissions from international shipping.
“The Philippines, being the leading provider of nearly 30% of the world’s maritime professionals, has a huge stake in any talks affecting the shipping industry. Climate change is an issue that concerns not onlythe shipping industry, but everybody in this planet as well,” said Ambassador Carlos C. Salinas, FSA chairman. “The FSA and our members offer our full support for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in its continued efforts in regulating the shipping industry’s carbon emissions and we remain positive in our industry’s role in addressing the global problem of climate change,” said Salinas.
As one of the leading and oldest maritime associations in the country, the FSA holds a pivotal role in the development of both the local and overseas shipping sector and the involvement of the Philippines in international maritime affairs.
In over 60 years, the FSA has promoted the highest environmental protection standards among its members and sought to cultivate a culture of social responsibility within the country’s maritime sector.
FSA has joined other internatinal organizations such as Oxfam, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), representing over 80% of the world merchant fleet, in calling for the reduction of carbon emissions from international shipping.
Peter Hinchliffe, ICS secretary-general stressed that it is in the best interest of both the environment and developing nations for shipping to be regulated through the International Maritime Organization (IMO) with the same rules for carbon reduction applying to all internationally trading ships, but in a manner which respects the principles of the UN climate convention.
The recent UN climate change conference in Durban, South Africa, urged delegates to give the IMO clear guidance on its continuing work on reducing shipping emissions through the development of market-based measures (MBMs).
Source: Manila Bulletin
