(EnergyAsia, October 20, Tuesday) --- Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have concluded a joint technical arrangement with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for a trust fund that supports co-operation among stakeholders in enhancing safety and marine environment protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

With an initial contribution of US$1 million from Greece, the fund advances a UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provision for international co-operation in maintaining the straits for international navigation since the establishment of the historic Co-operative Mechanism in 2007.

The agremment was signed by the heads of the maritime administrations of the three Southeast Asian countries and the director of Maritime Safety Division of the IMO during the recent 2nd Co-operative Forum hosted by Singapore.
Singapore’s Transport Minister and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, Raymond Lim, said:

“The Straits remains one of the busiest and most important shipping lanes in the world. I am heartened by the collective interest and commitment of coastal and user States to work together to ensure that the Straits of Malacca and Singapore remain safe and open to shipping.”

He praised the progress made by the Co-operative Mechanism, but highlighted the challenge to sustain interest and encourage participation and contributions from existing as well as new stakeholders.

He stressed that this was critical “as a third of the world's trade and half of its oil passed through the Straits.”
He said: “The Co-operative Mechanism is timely to promote and facilitate international cooperation in this important waterway and that the institutionalisation of the IMO Trust Fund is a very welcome development.”

Mr Lim later presented letters of recognition to the heads of delegations of Australia, China, Greece, India, Japan and the US attending the meeting.

These countries were recognised for their active contributions towards implementing the six initial projects under the Co-operative Mechanism including (i) removal of wrecks in the Straits (ii) enhancing preparedness and response capability against hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) incidents (iii) demonstration trial of AIS class-B transponders (iv) wind, tide and current measurement system (v) replacement and maintenance of navigation aids and (vi) replacement of navigation aids damaged by tsunami off Sumatra.

MPA chief executive Lam Yi Young said that “the co-operation between Straits users and the three littoral states since the establishment of the Co-operative Mechanism has been very encouraging. Going forward, we can expect greater collaboration among Straits stakeholders in ensuring safety and the protection of the marine environment in these important straits used for international navigation.”

The IMO director of Maritime Safety Division (MSD) Koji Sekimizu said: “The fact that the three littoral states have acted in such a timely manner and continue to display a strong determination to move matters forward, thereby building on the momentum established by the IMO-sponsored meetings, to be extremely positive and encouraging.”