Safety and security in the Malacca and Singapore Straits
This study group was a sub group of the study group on Facilitating maritime security cooperating in the Asia Pacific.
This study group is no longer active.
Co-Chairs:
CSCAP Indonesia, CSCAP Malaysia and CSCAP Singapore
Considerations
In September 2005, the Indonesian government and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) held a high-level conference in Jakarta, Indonesia on the Malacca and Singapore Straits. Conference participants considered ways and means of improving the safety, security and environmental protection of the Straits. This conference resulted in the Jakarta Statement on Enhancement of Safety, Security and Environmental Protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.
Another IMO conference on the Straits was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in September 2006. At that meeting it was determined that user states should contribute on a voluntary basis to the navigational safety and marine environmental protection in the Staits. Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore tabled six projects that could be funded by user states. These projects include: wreck removal; building capacity to respond to hazardous incidents; a demonstration project for Automatic Identification system transponders on small ships; setting up a tide, current and management system; replacement and maintenance of navigational aids; and replacement of those damaged by the 2004 tsunami.
No agreement was reached, however, on how to share the costs of these projects. An unofficial meeting in Kuala Lumpur in March 2007 made some progress toward this end. It was proposed that a Malacca Straits Fund be established, using voluntary contributions from the user states and other users such as the shipping industry, to maintain and improve navigational safety in the Straits.
Specific agenda
The specific agenda of this study group was to address the concerns of the littoral states and stakeholders and identified common interests among them. It also considered areas in which further cooperation might be achievable.
Outcome
The outcome of this study group was a summary with policy recommendations.
Meetings
A one-off meeting of this study group was held on 8-9 September 2007 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Download the Chairmens report.