Bapak Dr. Hassan Wirajuda, Rector, Universitas Prasetiya Mulya,  

 

Datuk Dickson Dollah, Director General of Marine, Malaysia Marine Department,

 

Bapak Hernadi Tri Cahyanto, Director of Navigation, Directorate General of Sea Transportation, Indonesia,

 

Excellencies,

 

Distinguished Guests,

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

1.       A very good morning to everyone. It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 17^th Co-operation Forum. This year, we also have a record number of overseas guests. I extend a very warm welcome to Singapore to all of you. 

 

2.            Hosting the Cooperation Forum in Singapore this year is especially meaningful. It brings us back to where the Co-operative Mechanism was established in 2007. At the time, Singapore’s former Deputy Prime Minister, Professor S. Jayakumar, described it as “a well-built vessel, robust yet flexible”.

 

3.     Nearly two decades later, that vision continues to endure. The strength of the Mechanism lies in its unique model of shared stewardship – where the three littoral States manage one of the world’s busiest and most strategically important shipping corridors alongside user States, industry and the international maritime community, all with a direct stake in its success.

 

4.     The combination of diverse perspectives, expertise and capabilities has allowed the Mechanism to remain robust in its purpose, while allowing it to remain flexible to respond to new challenges.

 

5.     Yesterday, our Minister for Transport, Mr. Jeffrey Siow,  launched a new book – The Straits of Malacca and Singapore: A Model for the World. The book is co-edited by Singapore’s Ambassador-at-large, Professor Tommy Koh, and is a timely reminder of what this partnership has achieved, and what it can offer the world – especially today, as geopolitical tensions threaten the openness of vital waterways.

 

6.     Our distinguished speakers this morning have reaffirmed the importance of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, or SOMS, as a vital international waterway, and our shared responsibility to keep it free, open and safe for international shipping.

 

7.     The Co-operation Forum, as a key pillar of the Co-operative Mechanism, is where we put this shared responsibility into practice. It gives us a platform to exchange perspectives, identify emerging needs, and turn dialogue into practical cooperation.  

 

8.     Our discussions over the next two days will focus on four priorities: strengthening navigational safety, harnessing technology for safer navigation, preparing for emerging challenges, and safeguarding the marine environment.

 

Enhancing Navigation Safety in the SOMS

 

9.     We will begin with navigational safety, which remains our foremost priority. Over the years, the SOMS has continued to maintain a strong safety record through the close cooperation of the littoral States and those who use it.

 

10.   As shipping evolves — with increasing traffic, larger vessels and changing cargo profiles — the operating environment will become increasingly complex. We must continue to anticipate new challenges and adapt our approaches accordingly.

 

11.   We can look forward to presentations on marine incident trends, cargo safety, and the review of the Under-Keel Clearance limit. They will give us useful perspectives on the challenges ahead, and how we can further enhance navigational safety, including through closer operational coordination where appropriate.

 

Leveraging Technology

 

12.   Next, technology is becoming an increasingly important enabler of safe navigation. Advances in artificial intelligence, digital navigation and maritime communications are transforming how we manage our waterways.

 

13.   These technologies can give us better situational awareness, stronger ship-to-shore connectivity and support more informed operational decision-making, helping us manage vessel movements through the SOMS with greater precision and confidence.

 

14. Today, we will hear about initiatives such as the VHF Data Exchange System, satellite-based augmentation systems, near-miss detection, and simulation technologies. These discussions will demonstrate how technology can complement existing navigational safety measures and help us manage the SOMS safely and efficiently.

 

Emerging and future challenges

15.   As shipping evolves, so do the risks that come with it. An increasing digitalised age gives rise to new cybersecurity challenges. Emerging technologies, such as autonomous vessels, will require us to consider new regulatory approaches. These are challenges that no single country can address alone.

 

16.   Our discussions on these emerging issues will help us better understand the challenges ahead, and how we can continue working together to ensure that the SOMS remain safe, resilient and ready for the future.

 

 

Upholding Marine Environmental Protection in the SOMS

17.   As we strengthen navigational safety and prepare for future challenges, we must also ensure that the SOMS remain environmentally sustainable. Our discussions on marine environmental monitoring, oil spill response technologies and underwater noise pollution will deepen our understanding of the changing environmental landscape and strengthen our collective awareness.

 

18.   The global energy transition will also be an important focus. While the shift towards a multi-fuel future can help reduce shipping emissions and ensure energy resilience, it also introduces new operational and safety challenges. Our discussions on the use of ammonia and methanol as marine fuels, the operation of electric vessels, and the training needed to prepare our seafarers for this transition, will therefore be particularly relevant. 

 

Conclusion

19.   So, the breadth of this year's programme shows how  the Co-operative Mechanism continues to evolve with the challenges facing the SOMS – from emerging navigational risks and new technologies, to the environmental and safety concerns of new fuels. For the Co-Operative Mechanism to remain “robust yet flexible”, we must continue to adapt, learn from one another, and work together. That is how we will keep the SOMS open, safe and secure for global trade.

 

20.   The success of this Forum will therefore not be measured by the number of presentations delivered, but by the partnerships we forge, the candid discussions we have, and the practical outcomes we achieve together. I encourage everyone to participate actively and make the most of our time together.

 

21. On this note, I wish everyone a productive and fruitful Co-operation Forum. Thank you.