Japan and UK Discuss Safety and Protection of Shipping Lanes

Safety policy and the protection of vital shipping lanes were on the agenda for the seventh Japan – UK maritime bilateral that took place in Tokyo on 19th February 2013.

Sir Alan Massey, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Masato Mori, Director-General of the Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan were amongst the high-level delegates from both countries that attended this conference.

Amongst the subjects discussed during the one and a half hour meeting was the reduction of Greenhouse Gas emissions from international shipping; the implementation of the Ballast Water Management Convention ( BWC). They also discussed protection of shipping lanes including anti-piracy measures and safety matters, including passenger ship safety.

Sir Alan Massey, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “These were very useful talks that reaffirmed the similarities between the UK and Japan in areas of interest and concern on international maritime matters. Asia is clearly an important region for maritime business and the UK will benefit from a strong relationship with Japan. We look forward to the next bilateral in London.”

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Maritime and Coastguard Agency, March 8, 2013