Such issues could limit 'the navigational freedoms and rights' which allowed commercial shipping to grow and lead to Asia's 'unprecedented' economic growth, said Senior Minister S. Jayakumar on Tuesday, in his opening address at Sea Asia 2009 maritime industry conference and exhibition in Suntec City.

Prof Jayakumar, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, noted that Asia is a leading stakeholder in shipping, with its fast-growing market share of the various segments of the maritime industry. But he added: 'The size of Asian commercial interests in the maritime industry alone will not guarantee it a strong voice.'

Thus, there is a need for regional countries to 'play an active role in coming up with effective solutions to common shipping concerns'.

One key issue is security.

Prof Jayakumar praised the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) - a pact grouping 14 governments, including Japan, China, South Korea and Singapore, which is 'now held up as a model for anti-piracy cooperation for other regions such as East Africa.'

Prof Jayakumar also highlighted the efforts of Asian countries such as China, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore in deploying their naval ships to the Gulf of Aden as part of the global community's fight against piracy off the Somali coast.

On environmental concerns, Prof Jayakumar said Asian nations could also play a key role in lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The challenge is to find solutions to reduce such emissions in ways that are 'effective, practical and achievable,' he said.

There may also be new expectations on Asia to play a bigger role in shaping the future of the maritime industry amid the economic slowdown.

Prof Jayakumar was upbeat on the industry's future, and hoped that the sector's experts would share their 'enterprise, experience and perspectives' so that the industry can 'collectively navigate out of the current storm and into safe and calmer waters'.

He said: 'The longer term outlook for the maritime sector ... remains bright and we should position ourselves to make bold moves when the weather turns for the better.'