MPA and Marine Department Malaysia Strengthen Ties through Visit by Malaysian Director General of Marine
Dato'Captain Ahmad Othman, Director General of Marine, Marine Department Malaysia, is in Singapore from 21 to 22 January 2008 as a guest of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), under its Distinguished Visitor Programme (DVP). During his two-day visit, he will call on the Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Raymond Lim, and will meet with MPA's senior management.
The visit by the Malaysian Director General of Marine underscores the close working relationship between the maritime authorities of the two countries and serves to strengthen relations at the leadership level.
The MPA and Malaysian Marine Department have a long history of successful collaboration on a wide-range of issues, including initiatives to enhance navigational safety and marine environmental protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.
Such initiatives, implemented together with Indonesia and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), include the Traffic Separation Scheme and mandatory ship reporting in the Straits, as well as the current IMO's Marine Electronic Highway project.
Most recently, the maritime authorities of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore worked closely with the IMO to successfully launch a Co-operative Mechanism for the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. The mechanism is a ground-breaking initiative and a historic milestone in international co-operation.
It provides a framework for the littoral States, viz. Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore to cooperate with Straits users to enhance navigational safety and environmental protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Following the launch of the Co-operative Mechanism in Singapore in September 2007, the next step is the organisation of the inaugural Aids to Navigation Fund Committee meeting and Co-operation Forum, which Malaysia will host later this year.
During his stay here, Dato'Captain Ahmad will visit MPA's Port Operations Control Centre and Integrated Simulation Centre.
About the Distinguished Visitor
Dato'Captain Ahmad Othman assumed his current appointment in June 2006 and has more than 35 years of marine experience to his credit. Prior to his current appointment, he has held various posts including Deputy Director General from 2002 and Director, Safety of Navigation Division, Port Klang, from 1996.
About MPA's Distinguished Visitor Programme (DVP)
Established in 1997, MPA's DVP has been a key vehicle for engaging and developing relations between the MPA and leaders in the international maritime community. The MPA DVP has facilitated the exchange of views and ideas on important maritime issues with key decision makers.
Under the Programme, the MPA has hosted leading maritime personalities from Argentina, Chile, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Lebanon, Netherlands, Nigeria, Turkey and the United States, as well as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and World Shipping Council (WSC).
End of release
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.It 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.The MPA partners the industry and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our port waters, facilitate port operations and growth, expand the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and promote maritime R&D and manpower development.