US, Japan Keen to Raise South China Sea at G-7
South China Sea warning looms over G7 summit. The United States is keen to raise the issue of South China Sea at a Group of Seven foreign ministers (G-7) meeting in Hiroshima. The US expects that this move would likely draw an angry response from the government in Beijing. Japan also wants to discuss South China Sea. The Shinzo Abe administration of Japan has been trying to place the South China Sea on top of the agenda at the upcoming two-day meeting in Hiroshima, despite pressing issues of combating terrorism and extremism, and the refugee crisis troubling Europe and the Middle East. The US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said: "What we want to see happen in the South China Sea is important.
Japan Coast Guard: Maritime Security Tops Agenda
Maritime Reporter & Engineering News interviews VADM Satoshi NAKAJIMA, Vice Commandant for Operations, Japan Coast Guard, in its March 2016 edition. Please discuss the history of the Japan Coast Guard. Immediately after the end of World War II, maritime security and the safety of ship operations were both deteriorated significantly in waters around Japan. Crime became widespread, while marine navigational aids and other establishments were destroyed. Many sea mines, which threatened ship operations, were planted.
ABS Gains Recognized Organization Status – Japan
Classification Society ABS authorized by the relevant ministry to serve as a Recognized Organization of the State of Japan. “This authorization strengthens our global coverage and allows vessel owners and operators greater operational flexibility,” said ABS President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. Working in close cooperation with the flag Administration of Japan, this new authorization allows ABS to verify compliance of Japanese flag ships with the major international safety and pollution prevention conventions: the International Load Line, SOLAS and MARPOL Conventions. “Since opening our first office in Japan in 1949, ABS has been proud to work alongside the Japanese maritime industry,” stated ABS Business Director for Japan Ken Okabayashi.
Japan Authorizes ABS as Recognized Organization
ABS was granted authorization by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to serve as a Recognized Organization of the State of Japan. This authorization allows ABS to provide statutory certification services to Japanese-flagged vessels on behalf of the government. “This authorization strengthens our global coverage and allows vessel owners and operators greater operational flexibility,” said Christopher J. Wiernicki, President and CEO, ABS. Working in close cooperation with the flag Administration of Japan…
Ship Safety Database Set Up To Prevent Future Erikas
European maritime administrations signed an agreement to set up a central shipping safety database aimed at eradicating dangerous vessels. The Equasis system will bring together safety-related information on the world merchant fleet in one Internet site for the first time, the European Commission Maritime Safety Unit said. The database will be launched from May 2000. Equasis is part of a quality shipping campaign set up in 1997 to engage all elements in the shipping chain, including shipowners, cargo owners, insurers, brokers, classification societies, agents, ports and terminals - in efforts to improve safety. In its first phase it will include information from public authorities…
