(http://www.AugustEnergy.biz/, October 15, Thursday) --- MPA press release...
Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have concluded a Joint Technical Arrangement (JTA) with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to institutionalise an IMO Trust Fund that supports co-operation among stakeholders towards enhancing safety and marine environment protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.
The Fund benefits from an initial contribution of US$1million from Greece and marks yet another major step forward in operationalising UNCLOS provision for international co-operation in the maintenance of straits used for international navigation since the establishment of the historic Co-operative Mechanism in 2007. The JTA was signed by the heads of the maritime administrations of the three littoral States and the Director of Maritime Safety Division of the IMO during the opening of 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.” Minister noted the good progress made by the Co-operative Mechanism, but highlighted that 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”.
Minister Lim later 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 recognised 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.
Of note, the number of countries participating in the projects has grown, with India recently making contributions to two of the projects. Overall, concrete progress has been achieved in the various projects with the completion of the demonstration trial in the AIS Class B project and conduct of training visits under the HNS project, among others.
MPA Chief Executive Mr 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.”
IMO Director of Maritime Safety Division Mr Koji Sekimizu similarly added that “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.”
The Co-operative Mechanism
Singapore is hosting the 2nd Co-operation Forum from 14 to 15 October 2009. The Co-operation Forum is part of the Co-operative Mechanism which is a key platform for the three littoral States and the international maritime community to collaborate on issues relating to the Straits. The Co-operative Mechanism has been making good progress through its three pillars: the Co-operation Forum; the Straits projects; and the Aids to Navigation Fund.
At the 2nd Co-operation Forum, new mechanisms for collaboration will also be established to broaden the scope of participation. In particular, there will be two new panel discussions on “Safety of Navigation” and “Environment Protection”. Co-chaired by the littoral States and the Roundtable of international shipping associations, the panel discussions will promote the active participation of the Industry and its engagement with the littoral and user States.
Beyond the Co-operation Forum and Straits projects, Japan, the United Arab Emirates and organisations such as the Nippon Foundation, Malacca Strait Council, and the Middle East Navigation Aids Service have made significant contributions to the Aids to Navigation Fund. The IMO Straits of Malacca and Singapore Trust Fund complements the Aids to Navigation Fund.
Annex A: Factsheet on the Co-operative Mechanism
About the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996, with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre (IMC), and to advance and safeguard Singapore’s strategic maritime interests. MPA is the driving force behind Singapore's port and maritime development, taking on the roles of Port Authority, Port Regulator, Port Planner, IMC Champion, and National Maritime Representative. MPA partners the industry and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our port waters, facilitate port operations and growth, grow the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and promote maritime R&D and manpower development.
For media clarification, please contact:
Lena Han (Ms)
Manager
Corporate Communications
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
DID: (65) 6375-1676
HP : (65) 9689-0815
Fax: (65) 6276-8927
Email: lena@mpa.gov.sg
Annex A
FACT SHEET ON THE CO-OPERATIVE MECHANISM
The Co-operative Mechanism broke new ground when it was officially launched during the Singapore-IMO Meeting in 2007. It was the first time that co-operation under Article 43 of UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) had been realised through such a concrete and detailed framework. This was a significant milestone in the implementation of UNCLOS, one of the most important bodies of international law.
Article 43 of UNCLOS
Article 43 provides for co-operation between coastal States bordering a strait used for international navigation such as the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, and users in maintaining the navigational safety and environmental protection of the straits. The actual text is as follows:
“User States and States bordering a strait should by agreement co-operate: in the establishment and maintenance in a strait of necessary navigational and safety aids or other improvements in aid of international navigation; and for the prevention, reduction and control of pollution from ships.”
The Co-operative Mechanism is based on several key principles. It re-affirms that the primary responsibility over the safety of navigation and environmental protection in the Straits lies with the littoral States. It emphasises that any measure undertaken in the Straits should be in accordance with international law. In this regard, it acknowledges the interest of userStates and relevant international agencies and recognises that all users and stakeholders have a role to play in maintaining and enhancing navigational safety and marine environmental protection in the Straits. The Co-operative Mechanism is inclusive in nature, and operates on a basis of voluntary contribution and consensus.
The Co-operative Mechanism consists of three components, namely, (i) a Co-operation Forum that will serve as a platform for dialogue between the littoral States and the international maritime community; (ii) a Project Co-ordination Committee to co-ordinate the implementation of Straits projects that involve contributions from the international maritime community; and (iii) an Aids to Navigation Fund to receive direct financial contributions from the international maritime community to maintain marine navigational aids in the Straits. The components of the Co-operative Mechanism are inter-connected and complementary.
The Co-operative Mechanism has been structured to be flexible so as to provide a range of modalities or menu of options to users and stakeholders through which they can work with the littoral States. Contributions and participation can be in-kind, such as the provision of technical expertise and consultancy, or financial in the form of direct monetary contributions. This is intended to accommodate the varied interests and circumstances of the contributing parties.
Co-operation Forum (CF)
The Co-operation Forum is the main avenue for user States, the shipping industry and other stakeholders to meet and cooperate with the littoral States of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. It serves to promote dialogue and exchange of views on issues of common interests in the Straits. It also facilitates concrete and practical co-operation between the littoral States, and user States, shipping industry and other stakeholders in the maintenance of safety of navigation and environmental protection in the Straits.
Apart from the three littoral States, user States such as China, Germany, India, Japan, Norway, and the US will also be delivering presentations at the 2nd Co-operation Forum. In addition, for the first time, representatives from Roundtable of International Shipping Associations and representatives from the shipping industry will also participate in two panel discussions on Safety of Navigation and Environmental Protection at this Forum.
Project Co-ordination Committee (PCC)
Annex A
FACT SHEET ON THE CO-OPERATIVE MECHANISM
The Co-operative Mechanism broke new ground when it was officially launched during the Singapore-IMO Meeting in 2007. It was the first time that co-operation under Article 43 of UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) had been realised through such a concrete and detailed framework. This was a significant milestone in the implementation of UNCLOS, one of the most important bodies of international law.
Article 43 of UNCLOS
Article 43 provides for co-operation between coastal States bordering a strait used for international navigation such as the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, and users in maintaining the navigational safety and environmental protection of the straits. The actual text is as follows:
“User States and States bordering a strait should by agreement co-operate: in the establishment and maintenance in a strait of necessary navigational and safety aids or other improvements in aid of international navigation; and for the prevention, reduction and control of pollution from ships.”
The Co-operative Mechanism is based on several key principles. It re-affirms that the primary responsibility over the safety of navigation and environmental protection in the Straits lies with the littoral States. It emphasises that any measure undertaken in the Straits should be in accordance with international law. In this regard, it acknowledges the interest of userStates and relevant international agencies and recognises that all users and stakeholders have a role to play in maintaining and enhancing navigational safety and marine environmental protection in the Straits. The Co-operative Mechanism is inclusive in nature, and operates on a basis of voluntary contribution and consensus.
The Co-operative Mechanism consists of three components, namely, (i) a Co-operation Forum that will serve as a platform for dialogue between the littoral States and the international maritime community; (ii) a Project Co-ordination Committee to co-ordinate the implementation of Straits projects that involve contributions from the international maritime community; and (iii) an Aids to Navigation Fund to receive direct financial contributions from the international maritime community to maintain marine navigational aids in the Straits. The components of the Co-operative Mechanism are inter-connected and complementary.
The Co-operative Mechanism has been structured to be flexible so as to provide a range of modalities or menu of options to users and stakeholders through which they can work with the littoral States. Contributions and participation can be in-kind, such as the provision of technical expertise and consultancy, or financial in the form of direct monetary contributions. This is intended to accommodate the varied interests and circumstances of the contributing parties.
Co-operation Forum (CF)
The Co-operation Forum is the main avenue for user States, the shipping industry and other stakeholders to meet and cooperate with the littoral States of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. It serves to promote dialogue and exchange of views on issues of common interests in the Straits. It also facilitates concrete and practical co-operation between the littoral States, and user States, shipping industry and other stakeholders in the maintenance of safety of navigation and environmental protection in the Straits.
Apart from the three littoral States, user States such as China, Germany, India, Japan, Norway, and the US will also be delivering presentations at the 2nd Co-operation Forum. In addition, for the first time, representatives from Roundtable of International Shipping Associations and representatives from the shipping industry will also participate in two panel discussions on Safety of Navigation and Environmental Protection at this Forum.
Project Co-ordination Committee (PCC)
The Project Co-ordination Committee is the body that implements the various projects under the Co-operative Mechanism to promote safety of navigation and environmental protection. It is a concrete demonstration of co-operation and burden sharing between the littoral States and user States, the shipping industry and other stakeholders. Through the Project Co-ordination Committee, user States, the shipping industry and other stakeholders can contribute either by financing a project that has been identified and agreed upon, or a component therein, or by providing in-kind resources such as technical assistance and equipment to specific aspects of a project.
Six projects were presented at the Kuala Lumpur Meeting in 2006. The current status of these six projects and involvement of the various contributor user States and stakeholders are outlined below.
Project | Participants | Updates |
Removal of Wrecks in the Straits to enhance navigational safety (led byMalaysia) | India | India has committed to providing training for the three littoral States at the NavalHydrographicSchool in Goa. The course is scheduled to be conducted in Nov 2009. |
Co-operation/ capacity building to enhance preparedness and response capabilities against Hazardous and Noxious Substances incidents to enhance marine environment protection (led by Malaysia) | Australia, US,China | A joint site assessment survey was conducted by the USand China with the littoral states in 2007 and the project team has agreed that the first three components of the project, namely the development of a HNS databank, a regional Standard Operating Procedure for response to HNS spills, and capacity building will be the next priority areas. The US Coast Guard had provided HNS preparedness/response training to the littoral States in theUS (San Francisco and Detroit) from 20-25 October 2008. Australia has offered to contribute its technical expertise to developing the HNS Databank. China has also indicated that it will conduct a HNS “Train-the-Trainers” programme for the littoral States by 2010. |
Demonstration trial of Automatic Identification System Class-B transponders on small ships to enhance navigational safety (led by Singapore) | Australia, Japan,ROK | Australia and Singapore jointly prepared the draft document for the project design and implementation plan, which has been endorsed by the three littoral states at the PCC. Japan has contributed 10 transponders for the trial and provided technical guidance for the installation of the transponders on vessels for the trial. Singapore has also acquired 20 additional transponders, through the IMO Straits Trust Fund, for the trial and worked with Indonesia and Malaysia on the installation. The trial commenced on1st June 2009. |
Establish Wind, tide, current measurement system to enhance navigational safety (led by Singapore) | China, India, | China has completed a desktop assessment study which has been adopted by the three littoral States. A site assessment survey for the project was jointly conducted byChina and India in July 2009. India has committed to providing funding for the project in 3 stages. The Stage 1 contribution of US $774,000 was disbursed in March 2009. |
Replacement and Maintenance of Navigation Aids to ensure safe navigation (led by Indonesia) | Japan, ROK | Malaysia carried out the survey of its navigation aids from 16 Jun 08 - 23 Jul 08, followed by the Indonesians. The Indonesians have completed the preliminary stage of their survey. Malaysia and Indonesia presented the results of the completed sections at the 2nd ANF Committee Meeting on 30-31 October 2008 in Kuching, Sarawak. The Nippon Foundation has contributed US$1.351 million towards the ANF for the site survey for this project. The Japanese Government has also committed US$200,000 towards the design of one or two navigation aids for this project. |
Replacement of Navigation Aids damaged by the Tsunami off the Sumatran coast (led by Indonesia) | China | China has undertaken this project in full, i.e. to replace all 7 navigation aids, and will undertake the project on a step by step approach. |
Aids to Navigation Fund
The Aids to Navigation Fund receives contributions from stakeholders of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, and channels them towards the maintenance and replacement of aids to navigation in the Straits, which are vital for safe navigation and environmental protection in the Straits. Contributors to the Fund include Japan, the United Arab Emirates, the Nippon Foundation, the Middle East Navigation Aids Service and the Malacca Strait Council. Pledges to contribute to the Fund have also been made by the Republic of Korea and the Japanese Shipowners Association. To date, the total amount of contributions/pledges to the Fund total US$7.326 million.
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