On behalf of the Thai Shipowners' Association, I wish to express my sincere thanks to the Australian Shipowners Association for organizing the 14th ASF.

As we all know, the developed countries and the International Maritime Organization are enforcing rules and regulations which have financial implication on the shipping industry in our region. There is no doubt that these rules and regulations are necessary to improve the standard and safety of ships' operations. Shipowners in the Asian region, which account for more than half the world's total shipping tonnage, often have little say on the outcome of rules and regulations being inforced. In this respect, the ASF has an important role to play in representing Asian shipowners' interests in the international shpiping community.

Therefore, we should all fully support ASF, and make sure that our discussions in the meeting are constructive and fruitful.