Press Release

38th APEC Transportation Working Group (TPTWG) Maritime Expert Group (MEG)

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2013/7/8

1. Abstract 

   The Transportation Working Group (TPT-WG) normally meets biannually to work towards an efficient, seamless, safe, secure, and sustainable transportation system. The Maritime Expert Group under TPT-WG, chaired and administrated by the Ports and Harbours Bureau and the Maritime Bureau, deals with international port and maritime issues. MEG-SECURITY (MEG-SEC) deals with port security issues such as the introduction of ISPS codes.

2. Venue and schedule

1 to 5 July, 2013. Bali, Indonesia

3. Results of the meeting

(1) Participants
   40 delegates from 14 economies participated in the MEG. Please see the attached list for Japanese delegates. 14 delegates from 10 economies and 1 observer participated in MEG-SEC.

(2) Main topics
-MEG 
   Japan presented the draft schedule of the APEC Training Course on Common Principles to Shipping Policy and updated its status. Indonesia expressed its intention to be the host economy for the 5th Training course which was welcomed by the MEG.
1) The 2nd Training Course
The Philippines reported that they will establish a Steering Committee by the end of September 2013 and reconfirmed that the project will be implemented in the 1st quarter of 2014. Thailand made a presentation about the 3rd Training Course, covering policy item 8 (port management), to be held in November 2015 in Bangkok.

2) Green Ports and Blue Carbon
Japan made a presentation on the Green Port Initiative, including the IAPH environmental award 2013 and research into Blue Carbon. The MEG appreciated the useful information contained in the presentation.

3) Enhancing the Visibility of Maritime Containers (2nd Phase)
Japan presented the NEAL-NET progress report. It was agreed that the MEG will continue to seek out potential to expand the system in the APEC region, checking on obstacles and effects with the on-going connection tests between China, Korea and Japan based on a review of similar operational systems.  

4) The Canal Issues
Japan made a presentation on the Canal Issues which was updated to reflect the current status of the Panama and Suez Canal issues since the last MEG meeting in April 2013. It was agreed that the MEG would continue to oversee the further progress of the two canal issues as high level dialogues have been held between the Panama Canal Authority and the shipping industry since December 2012, and a meeting with canal users is expected with the Suez Canal authority in 2013.

5) Promoting the Cruise Industry in the APEC Region
Japan reviewed the outline of the project that will integrate and provide web-based information on cruise port facilities, and presented their recent activities to create a one-stop desk for cruise industry promotion. The MEG asked Japan to inform all economies of the proposed format for information sharing.

-MEG-SEC
   Japan reported activities based on the ASEAN-Japan Regional Action Plan on Port Security and the tentative agenda of the 11th ASEAN-Japan Port Security Experts Meeting and the 2nd ASEAN-Japan Audit Capacity Building Demonstration.

Attached Documents

Press Release for printing (PDF形式)link for PDF

Meg Japanese Attendance List(PDF形式)link for PDF

Contact Information

・The Maritime Expert Group (for ports)
Mr. Nakagawa, Mr. Kaji
International Policy Planning office, Ports and Harbours Bureau, MLIT
TEL +81-3-5253-8111 (Extension 46-464) Direct Phone +81-3-5253-8679 FAX +81-3-5253-1651
・The Maritime Expert Group (for maritime affairs)
Mr. Takahashi, Mr. Nakamura
International Shipping Division, Maritime Bureau, MLIT
TEL +81-3-5253-8111 (Extension 43-352) Direct Phone +81-3-5253-8620 FAX +81-3-5253-1643
・MEG-SECURITY
Mr. Nagayama, Mr. Yamamoto
Security and Emergency Management Office, Ports and Harbours Bureau, MLIT
TEL +81-3-5253-8111 (Extension 46-283) Direct Phone +81-3-5253-8070 FAX +81-3-5253-1654

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