The China Shipowners’ Association (CSA) has joined the International Chamber of Shipping, which represents shipowner association’s from around the world, as a full member.
As one of the world’s leading shipowner nations China has been a notable omission from the ranks of the ICS membership.
The CSA will join the board the ICS board, while the ICS plans to open an office in Shanghai as it forges closer links with China.
“As a hub for global shipping China plays a major role in maritime transport, including an influential role on the international stage. This membership will strengthen our ability to work together, united as an industry, to tackle the most pressing issues facing shipping such as decarbonisation,” said ICS chair Emanuele Grimaldi.
The CSA was formed in 1993, as a voluntary trade organisation. Its membership is made up of owners, operators and managers of merchant ships registered in the People’s Republic of China.
It has 215 members, owning a total of 70m dwt, and representing 85% of the total Chinese merchant fleet.
The CSA works with the Chinese government agencies to regulate and maintain fair competition, and reflect the views of its membership.
“CSA also hopes to make use of the ICS information platform to provide more assistance to the Chinese shipping industry, and also the necessary support for the transition to low-carbon green shipping,” said CSA executive vice president Zhang Shouguo.
One interesting point could be whether the CSA fully aligns itself with the ICS policy on decarbonisation.
The ICS has taken a proactive position on decarbonisation over recent years, advocating the establishment of market-based measures, an international technology fund and tougher decarbonisation targets.
