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August 2005 23 have done more sooner to maintain the maritime expertise we held. GL: Shipping is after all a global busi- ness and the IMO has been the playing field for international regulations. The trend to regional and national single- handed initiatives to impose stricter reg- ulations should be examined carefully. Unilateral action of states might lead to some complex technical as well as legal issues of implementing national as well as international conventions. LR: The criminalization of seafarers is a great source of concern for all in the maritime industry. Not only does it greatly diminish the attractiveness of the seafaring profession, but it also hurts the future effectiveness of the maritime industry's shore-side operation. RINA: Underestimating the importance of the co-operation and competing by reducing standards. What are the current or near term chal- lenges facing the industry today? ABS: For all IACS members the most immediate challenge is finalizing and implementing the new common struc- tural rules for tankers and bulk carriers. This is the most fundamental change in the classification profession since its inception. The development of these new common rules has taken an enor- mous amount of effort on the part of all the societies. That input has been will- ingly given as the ultimate result will be stronger, more robust and ultimately safer ships, provided they are properly maintained by the owner. BV: Simple. We have to deliver on the common rules, and maintain a united IACS which demonstrates to industry and politicians that class collectively puts industry interests first and can com- pete on service without damaging the delivery of quality. We are some way down that route, but we have some way to go, and I call on all my colleagues to work tirelessly for delivery of what we have promised. GL: Although shipping is the most envi- ronmentally friendly mode of transport, a number of environmental challenges remain: Since 19 May, Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention has been in force. The latest annex to this body of internationally binding regulations gen- erates numerous changes for shipping companies, engine builders and yards. This can be regarded once again as an important albeit necessary step into the right direction. In addition, the introduc- tion of "SOx emission control area" where ships may only use fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 1.5 per cent contributes to the ecological image of sea transportation. Further on the agenda of IMO regulations is the recy- cling of ships as well as ballast water management and treatment. These developments underline that the interna- tional legislation for protection of the environment is constantly in flux. RINA: Shipping's Image: Francis Fukuyama (Professor of International Political Economy at the Johns Hopkins University) said, "the degree of trust and social cohesion in a particular society greatly influence that nation's economic well-being and global competitiveness." This applies to the maritime sector as well: we need trust and transparency Rugged, Marine-Grade Instrumentation from Technical Marine Service, Inc. Reliably measure the Depth, Volume, Weight & Specific Gravity of virtually any liquid: ¦ Ballast/Bilge Water ¦ HFO/DFM/Lube Oil ¦ Liquid Drill Mud FEATURES: ¦ No Sensors in the Tank ¦ Auto-detect Line Leaks & Plugs ¦ User-Defined Tank Table ¦ MODBUS & 4-20mA output options ¦ Output Relays option For more than 10 years, sophisticated Bubbler Technology that really works. Manufactured in the USA by TMS, Inc. (800) 239-9037 (503) 285-2163 info@tms-usa.com Call now to speak with an Applications Engineer. TM + R Z F D Q / H D Q 6 L [ 6 L J P D P D N H \ R X U F R P S D Q \ P R U H F R P S H W L W L Y H " / H D Q 6 L [ 6 L J P D L V W K H L Q W H J U D W L R Q R I W Z R U H Y R O X W L R Q D U \ S U R F H V V L P S U R Y H P H Q W V W U D W H J L H V , W L V D S U R Y H Q U R D G P D S W R E R R V W S U R À W V D Q G J U R Z \ R X U E X V L Q H V V E \ P R E L O L ] L Q J \ R X U R U J D Q L ] D W L R Q Z L W K W K H U L J K W W R R O V W R V K U L Q N F \ F O H W L P H V D Q G D W W D F N S U R F H V V Y D U L D W L R Q 1 R Y D F H V G H O L Y H U V / H D Q 6 L [ 6 L J P D V R O X W L R Q V Z L W K L Q G X V W U \ E H V W S U D F W L F H V L Q L P S U R Y H P H Q W V W U D W H J \ W H F K Q R O R J \ D Q G H P S O R \ H H W U D L Q L Q J : K D W ¶ V P R U H Z H F X V W R P L ] H D Q L P S O H P H Q W D W L R Q S O D Q D Q G W U D L Q L Q J W R \ R X U F R P S D Q \ ¶ V X Q L T X H Q H H G V D Q G S U R Y L G H F O R V H V X S S R U W D O R Q J W K H Z D \ / D I D \ H W W H 6 W 1 H Z 2 U O H D Q V / $ ? Z Z Z Q R Y D F H V F R P 7 R O O ) U H H ? 7 H O ? ) D [ Circle 252 on Reader Service Card Circle 234 on Reader Service Card Class Society Q&A MR AUGUST 2005 #3 (17-24).qxd 8/4/2005 5:51 PM Page 23
