IMO Fund Raises Straits Co-Operation to a New High

Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore sealed a Joint Technical Arrangement (JTA) with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), 14 to 15 October 2009, at the opening of 2nd Co-operative Forum hosted by Singapore.

The JTA, aimed at institutionalizing an IMO Trust Fund supporting co-operation among stakeholders towards enhancing safety and marine environment protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, was signed by the heads of the maritime administrations of the three littoral States and the Director of Maritime Safety Division of the IMO. The Fund benefits, from an initial contribution of US$1million from Greece, mark yet another major step forward in implementing the provision of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) concerning international co-operation in the maintenance of straits used for international navigation since the establishment of the historic Co-operative Mechanism in 2007.

According to Singapore's Transport Minister and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Raymond Lim, “the Straits remain 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." The Minister noted the good progress made by the Co-operative Mechanism, and also pointed out that in going forward, the challenge was to sustain interest and keep the momentum going, not only to entrench progress but also to encourage further 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". Minister Lim added that, "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".

During the Forum, Minister Lim also presented letters of recognition to the heads of delegations of Australia, China, Greece, India, Japan and the United States of America attending the Singapore meeting. These countries were recognized for their active contributions towards implementing the six initial projects under the Co-operative Mechanism, namely (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.