[SINGAPORE] A wide-ranging study has been commissioned by a high-level working group to promote safer shipping practices and the deterence of substandard ships in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) region.

Australian research group Asia Pacific Maritime Institute (APMI) has been commissioned to conduct the study, which was launched in April by the Apec Transportation Working Group.

Led by APMI managing director Jeffrey Hawkins, the study aims to identify regulatory, commercial and economic measures which can be implemented in Apec economies to promote safety and reduce the incident of substandard shipping in the region.

Dr Hawkins said a study is now being conducted to identify existing policies and practices used by the respective Apec governments and the maritime industry to improve the safety of shipping.

The study will cover 13 Apec economies -- Australia, Canada, China, Hongkong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and the US.

Shipowners in the Apec region are estimated to control about 34 per cent of the world's total shipping fleet.

He estimates that close to one third of the world's fleet are substandard.

The focus of the study will be on existing policies, programmes and practices that already exist and are known to be successful at promoting safer shipping and deterring substandard vessels.

Dr Hawkins said the use of substandard ships create an unfair advantage for operators who are able or willing to circumvent national and international maritime standards.

The elimination of substandard shipping and the promotion of effective maritime safety policies and practices are viewed as critical in providing a better standard of care for people, property and the maritime environment as well as liberalising and facilitating business and trade within the region.

Dr Hawkins was on a three-day visit to Malaysia earlier this week to meet various members of the maritime industry following similar visits to Singapore and Indonesia. He also held discussions with industry representatives at the Marine Department Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

The study will be completed in October and a draft will be submitted to the Apec Transportation Working Group's panel.

The findings and recommendations will then be submitted to the Apec ministerial level meeting in Australia next year for approval.