TRANSPORT MINISTERS CALL FOR TIGHTER MARINE SAFETY, POLLUTION STANDARDS

TRANSPORT MINISTERS CALL FOR TIGHTER MARINE SAFETY, POLLUTION STANDARDS    Leading government transport officials from around the world said they want tighter measures to improve maritime safety and prevent pollution from substandard ships.
   About 180 officials made this commitment at last week’s Ministerial Conference on Transport in Tokyo. The conference, which was sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, considered future strategies for implementing “environmentally friendly” transport.
   Government officials at the conference came from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States, European Commission and the International Maritime Organization. Capt. William G. Schubert, head of the Transportation Department’s Maritime Administration, led the U.S. delegation.
   “The ministers were unanimous in their commitment to greater international cooperation and coordination for the achievement of international and multilateral projects and actions, and in their extension of an invitation to participate in future projects to those countries not represented at the conference,” the ministerial conference said.
   The ministerial conference’s action plan to enhance maritime safety and marine pollution prevention consists of:
   * A proposal calling for the creation of an audit program on flag state implementation at IMO.
   * Promotion of incentive schemes for quality ships.
   * Implementation of the ISM code (which is the international code to establish safety management systems to promote safe vessel operations).
   * Harmonization of port state control activities.