Introduction

So far this paper has concentrated on the ASEAN perspective to fleet development and the control of shipping. However, there are lessons to be learned from a step backwards to look at this issue from a more global perspective. Governments in the developed world view shipping policies differently than the ASEAN countries, although they may implement similar legislation to promote shipping investment. They also view with trepidation some of the means by which national control of shipping is being promoted by developing countries. This chapter intends to look at these differences and similarities, pointing to possible future directions to be considered by countries wishing to develop or sustain their participation in shipping.

Shipping Policies in the “First World”

Although this paper has tended to talk about the developed countries as only being suppliers of shipping services, that is not entirely true. Traditional shipowning nations do not include countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, who are developed countries but currently follow a “user” orientation. In this sense they may have more in common with developing countries in terms of their dependence on foreign shipping. Both Canada and Australia have set up task forces to re-examine current shipping policies in 1983 and 1984 respectively. Whether their policies will reflect new, more “developing nation” attitudes towards foreign control remains to be seen.

The traditional shipowning nations are facing difficult times. Their share of the market is gradually diminishing. A glance at Exhibit 8.1 indicates that Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and West Germany have all experienced a decline in their share of the world fleet. A loss of share when accompanied by today's stagnating market means a loss of employment opportunities for nationals. Numerous articles have moaned about the sad state of employment for U.K. seafarers, where the number of seafarers employed has been more than halved over the last twenty-five to thirty years.