|
Shipowners from Malaysia, Singapore and
Indonesia who met in Singapore recently have
launched a “cooperative mechanism to enhance
safety, security & environmental protection on
the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.
The mechanism consists of three components
namely the Co-operation Forum, the Project
Co-ordination Committee and the Aids to
Navigation Fund.
The establishment of the “Co-operative
Mechanism” demonstrates willingness of the three
littoral States and with users of the Straits to
ensure that it remains safe, open and secure for
shipping.
Malaysian Shipowners’ Association (MASA) in a
statement said it fully supports the concept of
the Co-operative Mechanism and would be
participating actively in its meetings
commencing in 2008.
MASA was represented at the meeting by its vice
chairman Datuk Ir Abdul Hak Md Amin and its
executive secretary Capt Intiaz Hussein.
The statement said the mechanism promotes
implementation of both the spirit and intent of
Article 43 of the United Nations Law of the Sea
Convention (UNCLOS), and sets the framework for
the three littoral states to work together with
the international maritime community to further
enhance navigational safety and environmental
protection in the Straits.
The meeting also noted the progress of the
Malacca Straits Security Initiatives by the
littoral States and that the Information Sharing
Centre of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on
Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships
in Asia (ReCAAP) had become operational.
The meeting noted the progress of the Marine
Electronic Highway Demonstration Project for the
Straits of Malacca and Singapore (the MEH
Demonstration project), developed by IMO.
The project is carried out in co-operation with
the littoral States and funded by the Global
Environment Facility through the World Bank,
with additional financial support by the
Republic of Korea.
The Singapore meeting confirmed the consensus
among the participants that collective efforts
were needed to enhance navigational safety and
environmental protection in the Straits and
expressed support and encouragement for the
Co-operative Mechanism.
Speaking at the end of the meeting, the IMO
Secretary-General, Efthimios E. Mitropoulos said
he was happy with the progress made so far.
“I am particularly pleased with the launching of
the Co-operative Mechanism developed by
Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore and with the
spirit of goodwill demonstrated by all
stakeholders, especially the three littoral
States of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore,”
he said.
“I view the Co operative Mechanism as a
milestone breakthrough in the efforts of all
parties in enhancing safety and environmental
protection through the Straits. However, we
should not consider the launching of the
Mechanism as the end of the road. Rather, we
should view it as an opportunity to maintain,
even strengthen, the already established channel
of communication among all parties concerned,
thus facilitating a meaningful dialogue for the
accomplishment of all objectives set." said
Mitropoulos.
Strong international support was received for
the Co-operative Mechanism from 250 delegates
representing 38 countries, one United Nations
Specialized Agency, one intergovernmental and 14
maritime-related non-governmental organizations
attended the Meeting.
Industry organizations such as Intertanko,
International Chamber of Shipping, the Nippon
Foundation as well as countries such as
Australia, Bahamas, China, Cyprus, Germany,
India, Japan, Norway, Panama, Republic of Korea,
South Africa, Turkey, United Arab Emirates,
United Kingdom and the United States of America
gave their explicit support for the Co-operative
Mechanism.
For the aids to Navigation Fund, the Nippon
Foundation expressed a firm commitment to fund
up to one-third of the needs of the Fund. Korea
and the United Arab Emirates announced their
intention to also contribute to the Fund.
Nippon Foundation stated that it was prepared to
contribute to the Aids to Navigation Fund (which
is established under the Co operative Mechanism)
up to a third of the costs associated with the
funding of the maintenance and repair of the
aids to navigation in the Straits during the
initial five-year period, until the necessary
funds have been collected from voluntary
contributions from around the world. |
