国际独立油轮船东协会 (INTERTANKO) 成立于1970年，由来自各海运国家的独立油轮船东组成，在制订及执行有效的规范及行业标准、确保航运安全及海洋环保方面起领导作用。此次中国国际海运网记者有幸采访到该协会会长Peter M Swift先生。
INTERTANKO: Further the Interests of Independent Tanker Owners
INTERTANKO is short for International Association of Independent Tanker Owners She has been the voice of independent tanker owners since 1970, ensuring that the oil that keeps the world turning is shipped safely, responsibly and competitively. This time Shippingchina.com has the honor to interview Mr. Peter M Swift, Managing Director of intertanko, to view this reputed association who has a developing history of decades.
J: Welcome to DIALOGUE. What is your goal for your trip to China this year?
Mr. Peter M Swift: INTERTANKO is here to further the interests of independent tanker owners. Now in China, We are very please that all the great tanker companies are members of shipping tankers, such as the China Shipping, COSCO Dalian are all in the membership. As the association, by this chance we would like to talk about the tank shipping industry, which is a very critical industry for all the societies; We would like to talk about how to continuously move the oil in the responsible safe way, the real concern to continue that way, the uniform we apply the system regulations, the importance of having good people, the way we training programs to ensure the safe operation of the ships and people.
Besides, I think the average age of Chinese tanker fleet is still younger. For example the average age for the fleet of fleet of China Shipping is just five years old, and they will still to continue. Though we speak of economy crisis and certainly the orders will be slow down, to say maybe for one or two years, but it is still has positive growth, which is important.
J: How does your association emerge?
Mr. Peter M Swift: At a time when World scale was being established, the pound sterling had been devalued and insurance premiums for very large crude carriers had undergone an enormous increase, it was decided that the International Tanker Owners' Association should extend the scope of its activities. A new organization would be established in Oslo under the name of the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners, which would retain the short title of "INTERTANKO". Its stated aim was "to further the interests of independent tanker owners" and it would co-operate with the oil industry, national and international organizations. The London-based Association was formally put into voluntary liquidation on 30 December 1970.
J: What is the composition of your membership?
Mr. Peter M Swift: We have full membership open to independent tanker owners, owning or managing crude oil, product, chemical, OBO, O/O, gas carriers and FPSO/FSUs, provided they are operated on a commercial basis. Companies not in listed in aforementioned category e.g. oil companies, shipbrokers and other tanker related interests could become Associate Members. A company that is eligible for full membership may not be an associate member.
Among the Associate Members are: oil companies, non-commercially operated state-owned tanker companies, shipping agents, shipyards, law firms, shipbrokers, insurance companies, marine suppliers, national authorities, port authorities, classification societies, consultants and a host of other companies related to the tanker industry, representing a unique concentration of expertise in the world-wide tanker industry.
J: What are the main benefits when joining INTERTANKO?
Mr. Peter M Swift: INTERTANKO is there to protect and promote the interests of our members. First of all, with international registration and regulation, the tanker owners can participate and do participate the regulations; we do have that internationally applied. Secondly we provide services to our members. INTERTANKO serves as the spokesman for independent tanker owners and represents its Members through international governmental organizations. The Association provides comprehensive information services in the form of our Weekly NEWSLETTER circulated by e-mail, and acts as a forum for discussion on tanker related matters. INTERTANKO is represented on all major IMO committees and sub-committees and Member companies often participate actively in INTERTANKO's work within the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
INTERTANKO membership entitles Members and Associate Members to expert advice on charter party questions, international regulations, port information as well as any other issue related to the tanker industry. Any proposals from Members and Associate Members to analyze specific issues or to present to IMO, National Authorities, or other organizations, will be dealt with seriously by the INTERTANKO secretariat. INTERTANKO's Committees continually follow up documentary issues, technical and regulatory questions, insurance and World scale matters, which have been initiated by our membership.
Information on market developments and statistics on the world economy, the oil market, the tanker and chemical fleet, casualties and oil spills are also available to the membership.
Members and Associate Members are invited to the INTERTANKO Tanker Events where seminars, workshops and an exhibition form integral parts of the Event.
We provide a free web service, “Port Information”, to our Members and Associate Members, which gives the latest port disbursements and details of reception facilities worldwide.
Members and Associate Members are invited to the INTERTANKO Tanker Events comprising meetings, seminars, workshops and an exhibition. This is an opportunity to listen to prominent speakers and exchange views with top decision-makers in the tanker industry.
Members and Associate Members are entitled to a 10% discount on the rates for advertising in all INTERTANKO publications and 50% off the purchase price of publications. They may also use the INTERTANKO logo on their stationery/business cards.
Members may also join our Freight and Demurrage Information Pool, a database of characters' records on settlement of freight and demurrage. Special Circulars are sent to Members who have joined the information pools.
J: How is the present developing situation of INTERTANKO and what do you think is the most important character to develop business for success?
Mr. Peter M Swift: Now we have members in more than 50 countries and especially in China, thought we only have 10 Chinese members out of our total 300 members, 10% tonnage is out of our Chinese membership. And our membership continues to grow globally. As of January 2007, the organization has 260 members, whose combined fleet comprises some 2,900 tankers totaling 236 million dwt, which is 75% of the world's independent tanker fleet. apart from two principal offices in Oslo and London. We also develop the network of regional offices in Washington DC and Singapore. The four regional panels – the North American Panel, the Asian Regional Panel, the Hellenic Forum and the more recently formed Latin American Panel – have been successful in providing a focus for the activities of the members in the regions.
And for your second question, I think the importance in today’s world is communication. It is to be able to enjoying meeting people, moving around the world and being able to understand a little bit of the culture differences because that helps good communication. And being willing to talk to people just us, to want to be able to do that, these are the important elements, to feel pleased to feel relaxed when one is communicating and actually enjoying doing it. This is a people world.
J: You are very kind as the Chinese friend. Thank you for joining in DIALOGUE.
【Journalist: Betty Chen】
Peter M Swift先生，国际独立油轮船东协会会长
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