EAS CONFERENCE ON MARITIME SECURITY AND

COOPERATION

9-10 NOVEMBER 2015 NEW DELHI, INDIA

Session III: MARITIME CONNECTIVITY: BUILDING FOR TRADE

“MAINTAINING SAFETY OF NAVIGATION IN THE STRAITS OF MALACCA: THE ROLE OF THE TRIPARTITE TECHNICAL EXPERTS GROUP (TTEG) AND THE COOPERATIVE MECHANISM (CM)”

Ahmad Fajarazam bin Abdul Jalil

Director

Maritime Affairs Department

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia

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OUTLINE

Importance of the Straits of Malacca

Role of TTEG and CM

Conclusion

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ISSUES AFFECTING MARITIME TRADE CONNECTIVITY

Increase in inter-intra regional trade – e.g. trade

interdependence; energy security.

Growing development and complexity of

maritime trading routes and related

infrastructure – eg new routes, new centres,

coping capacity of current infrastructure

Safety of Navigation issues: eg Local navigation

routes; growing network of cables and pipelines

Maritime environment and resources – eg

regional oil pollution measures 3

STRAITS OF MALACCA

SOM is one of the busiest straits in the world

Stretches from Pulau Sembilan to Tanjung Piai for a

distance approximately 241 nautical miles

Average 100,000 vessels annually

Based on report to Klang VTS/STRAITREP

Container ships, Bulk carriers, VLCC, LNG/LPG.

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STRAITS OF MALACCA

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Straits used for international navigation

Requires measures for

Safe, Secure and Smooth Navigation

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MEASURES UNDERTAKEN – TTEG AND CM

• Establishment of TTEG (1971)

• Establishment of TSS (1977)

IMO Resolution A.375(X)

• Extension of TSS (1981)

IMO Resolution A.476(XIII)

• STRAITREP (1998)

IMO Resolution MSC.73(69)

• Cooperative Mechanism (2008)

4 projects completed - 4 ongoing projects – 3 newly approved

projects7

TTEG AND CM (CONT.)

Series of Meeting in 2005, 2006 & 2007 led to establishment of CM

CM provides a framework for which littoral states (Malaysia, Indonesia &

Singapore) and users of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore may

promote cooperation (states and industry)

Underlying principles:

Reaffirmed the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the littoral States

over the Straits as Straits used for international navigation

Emphasized that measures undertaken should be in accordance with

international law especially UNCLOS (Article 43 in particular)

The primary responsibility over the safety of navigation and

environmental protection in the Straits lies solely with the littoral

States (within Tripartite Technical Expert Group (TTEG) framework)

Acknowledges the interest of user States and relevant international

agencies and the role they could play in respect of the Straits8

STRUCTURE OF THE TTEG & CM

1.COOPERATION FORUM (CF)

• Avenue for user States, the shipping industry & other stakeholders to meet and co-operate with the littoral States

• Open to all

2. PROJECT COORDINATION

COMMITTEE (PCC)

• Coordinates the implementation of projects on the basis of cooperation and burden sharing

• Several Projects being implemented

3. AIDS TO NAVIGATION FUND (ANF)

• Fund for voluntary financial contributions towards the maintenance of aids to navigation in the Straits

• fund management and administration of fund rotated among littoral States on a three-year term.

COOPERATIVE MECHANISM (CM)

TRIPARTITE TECHNICAL EXPERT GROUP (TTEG)

•The TTEG will be the principal coordinating body of the three littoral States in the Cooperative Mechanism

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EXAMPLE OF PROJECTS:

PROJECT 1: REMOVAL OF WRECKS IN THE

TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME AREA

Coordinator - Malaysia

Scope:

1. Hydrographic survey

2. Risk analysis

3. Capacity building

4. MYWREMS –

- Malaysian Wreck Management System

- Removal of wrecks

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EXAMPLE OF PROJECTS:

PROJECT 1: REMOVAL OF WRECKS IN THE TRAFFIC

SEPARATION SCHEME AREA (CONT.)

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RECENT UPDATES ON COOPERATIVE MECHANISM

Aids to Navigation Fund (ANF)

Receives financial contribution for renewal and

maintenance of AtoN

Member: 3 Littoral States + Contributors

Contributors: China, India, Japan, Korea, Saudi

Arabia, UAE, IMO, IFAN, MSC, Nippon Foundation

51 lighthouses, beacons & buoys identified

Cumulative contributions received amounting to

US$20M since 2007

Committee meets twice annually

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51 Critical Aids to Navigation in

the Straits of Malacca & Singapore

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TTEG and CM, as an example of regional

mechanism for maritime trade connectivity, has

illustrated excellent regional cooperation based

on commonly agreed principles and mutual

respect between Littoral States with the User

States and industry

CONCLUSION

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Thank you

ahmfajar@kln.gov.my

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