The tripartite forum, consisting of shipbuilders, shipowners, and classification societies, convened recently for their annual two-day conference in Busan, South Korea, on October 22. This conference brought together 70 delegates representing 13 countries.
The recent two-day conference organized by the tripartite forum continued the tradition of discussing the most pressing technical issues faced by the industry. Decarbonization, onboard carbon capture, autonomous ships, bifouling, ballast water treatment, underwater radiated noise, software maintenance, and gray water were the topics that were discussed at the recent conference.
IMO delegates who contributed to the extraordinary session of the Maritime Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) also discussed sector implications in light of that meeting. On this timely occasion, the Tripartite participating organizations – ASF, BIMCO, CESA, IACE, INTERECARGO, ICS, INTERCARGO & SEA Europe – reaffirmed their support for the IMO as the global regulator of international shipping, which is capable of delivering effective regulations in close collaboration with the marine community.
The working groups made progress on several topics, including Future Proofing of the Maritime Safety Regime, Underwater Radiated Noise, Safe Digital Transformation, Safe Decarbonisation, Automated Fuel Consumption, Ship Life-Time GHG Accounting, and Data Gathering, which were welcomed by the Tripartite organisation.
The Active Shipbuilding Experts’ Federation (ASEF) is an international industry association composed of leading shipbuilding organizations from various countries.
Established with the aim of promoting safety, environmental protection, and technological innovation in the maritime sector, ASEF plays a vital role in advancing global cooperation within the shipbuilding industry.
BIMCO is a nonprofit organization with a global membership that includes shipowners, operators, managers, brokers & agents.
It is the world’s largest international shipping association, comprising 2,100 members from 120 countries. BIMCO represents 64% of the world’s tonnage.
CESA represents the interests of shipbuilding, repair and conversion shipyards, ship maintenance and maritime equipment providers at the London based International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
Dedicated to safe ships and clean seas, the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) makes a unique contribution to maritime safety and regulation through technical support, compliance verification and research and development. More than 90% of the world’s cargo-carrying tonnage is covered by construction, classification design, and through-life compliance rules and standards set by the 12 Member Societies of IACS.
The International Association of Dry Cargo Ship Owners (INTERCARGO) brings together & promotes quality dry bulk shipping, uniting more than 350 forward-thinking companies from 35 countries.
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal global trade association for merchant shipowners and operators, representing all sectors and trades and over 80% of the world’s merchant fleet.
Represents the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners. It has been the voice of independent tanker owners since 1970. INTERTANKO ensures that the liquid energy that keeps the world turning is shipped safely, responsibly and competitively. As of January 2025, the organization has 178 members, whose combined fleet comprises over 3,800 tankers totalling over 355 million dwt. INTERTANKO’s Associate Membership stands at nearly 220 companies & organizations related to the tanker industry.
SEA Europe represents close to 100% of the European shipbuilding industry in 17 nations, encompassing the production, maintenance, repair, and conversion of all types of ships and floating structures, commercial besides naval, tat composites the full supply chain including various producers of maritime systems, equipment material & services.
SEA Europe’s membership consists of EU Member States, Turkey, Norway, the UK, and Ukraine.
Being an NGO observer at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), CESA represents the shipbuilding industry with its supply chain from EU member states, Turkey & Norway.
