Malacca Strait safety project floated

The Malaysia Government, shipping industry and maritime officials from 31 countries have agreed to cooperate on measures to ensure the smooth passage of ships through a vital trading route between East Asia and the Middle East.

The implementation of projects in the Malacca Strait ? ranging from the removal of shipwrecks to the introduction of mechanisms to tackle oil spills ? will be discussed in the coming year, delegates said in a joint statement at the end of a three-day meeting in Kuala Lumpur. “These projects are crucial in ensuring that the straits remain safe and open to international shipping at all times,” the statement said.

Participating governments will likely provide equipment, training or direct funding for these projects, the statement said, without giving specific details or financial estimates. Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, which border the Malacca Strait, have been calling on other countries whose vessels ply the strait to help bear the costs of keeping it safe.

Koji Sekimizu, maritime safety director of IMO, said China has expressed willingness to take part in the maintenance and recovery of navigational aid equipment. Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, which border the Malacca Strait, will oversee how the projects are implemented, he added.

The three countries have in recent years conducted coordinated maritime and air patrols to curb piracy and address concerns that international terrorists might target some of the 65,000 vessels that pass through it every year carrying half the world’s oil and more than a third of its commerce. Officials had indicated that they might also seek funds and other assistance to safeguard the strait from the threat of piracy and terrorism, but the statement did not reveal details of such plans.

Three sea robberies were reported in the strait in the first half of 2006, down from 18 in the whole of last year and 38 in 2004. Japan has given a training vessel to Malaysia’s coast guard, while the United States, China and South Korea are also considering ways to help, officials have said.