Round Table prioritises seafarers at first in-person meeting since COVID
(Posted on 24/02/23)
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.
-Ends-
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.
Latest News
Wallem Group reaches a century in Hong Kong
(Posted on 04/11/25)Wallem Group, a leading global maritime partner, is celebrating the centenary of moving its headquarters... Read more
INTERCARGO celebrates record membership ahead of 45th Anniversary
(Posted on 04/11/25)The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) is marking its 45th anniversary in... Read more
NORDEN reports net profit of US$26m in Q3 2025
(Posted on 04/11/25)Net profit for the Group amounted to USD 26 million (DKK 166 million) in the third quarter of 2025,... Read more
ClassNK releases 'Guidelines for Onboard CO2 Capture and Storage Systems (Edition 2.0)'
(Posted on 04/11/25)ClassNK has released 'Guidelines for Onboard CO2 Capture and Storage Systems (Edition 2.0)' first in... Read more
InterManager urges Seafarer participation in Enclosed-Space Safety Survey
(Posted on 27/10/25)Following the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO’s) newly tightened rules on enclosed... Read more
DNV: Nuclear propulsion is viable solution for maritime decarbonisation
(Posted on 27/10/25)According to a new paper by DNV, shifting environmental requirements are reigniting interest in nuclear... Read more
MoU on cooperation Between Zhejiang Seaport and Columbia
(Posted on 24/10/25)Zhejiang Seaport Group and Columbia Group Limited have signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of... Read more
INTERCARGO statement on Extraordinary Meeting of MEPC
(Posted on 20/10/25)The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) has released a statement on the Extraordinary... Read more
Investigation into impact of technology on seafarers
(Posted on 20/10/25)The future of shipping is already here. From autonomous systems to artificial intelligence, maritime... Read more
ESL Shipping’s science-based net-zero targets validated by SBTi
(Posted on 17/10/25)The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has approved ESL Shipping’s near and long-term... Read more
