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November 25, 2009 20:21 PM

New Regulations Should Considers Shipping Issues, Says Ong

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- The development of new maritime transportation safety and security regulations should consider factors concerning shipping as a whole, according to Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

Malaysia, he said, does not advocate any lack in regulations or the abject compromise in standards.

"Looking at the list of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) member states, more than 80 per cent are developing countries. Many continue to face challenges to regulate the maritime activities," he said at the 26th IMO Assembly in London Tuesday.

The text of his speech was made available in his blog www.ongteekeat.net.

Ong said many things had happened in the maritime world since the last assembly in 2007.

"Unfortunately of most concern to all of us is the financial crisis which has resulted in the slowdown of the world's economy, which in turn has impacted directly on shipping due to the downturn in global trade.

This has become a tremendous challenge to the shipping industry as well as to the regulators of the industry," he said.

On the positive side, IMO's Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme has been legendary in its efforts to assist developing nations, in particular to develop in-house capacity to implement IMO's conventions, Ong said.

He said Malaysia agreed that the main thrust of IMO's resources should remain focus on enhancing such capacity building programmes in its member states.

Touching on the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, Ong informed the assembly that the cooperative mechanism to enhance safety of navigation and environmental protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore was now well into its second year of operation and steadily attracting contributions from various users of the straits.

He said IMO should continue to play a leading role in ensuring the safety and security of international shipping.

In doing so it should endeavour to seek as much participation as possible from its 169 members states, he added.

The minister said Malaysia acknowledged that a lot more needed to be done for international shipping to continue being safe and secure and that the marine environment is well protected. "Malaysia is happy to continue to work closely with IMO as we strongly believe any initiatives to develop shipping standards should be on a global basis and in IMO," he said.

According to Ong, Malaysia believes the role of the maritime administration is crucial and the Voluntary IMO Member States Audit Scheme is a move in the right direction to further enhance the capability of maritime administrations.

"In this respect, Malaysia is open to the idea of institutionalising the audit scheme and urge that the strategic plan towards this end gives full consideration to all the challenges that any member state might encounter, including the financial implications," he said.

The minister also announced Malaysia's intention to continue serving in the IMO council and has already submitted its candidature for re-election.

-- BERNAMA

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