REPORT
INGENIEUR
Malaysia Re-Elected as Council Member in the International Maritime Organisation
By Samniang Saenram
Malaysia has been re-elected to the
International Maritime Organisation ( IMO )
Council under Category C for the 2020- 2021 term . It is Malaysia ’ s 8 th consecutive term on the body . Such an achievement is a strong reflection of the maritime community ’ s continued confidence in Malaysia ’ s role as a Council Member .
The maritime industry ’ s pivotal role in Malaysia is well illustrated by the fact that an estimated 95 % of Malaysia ’ s international trade , the lifeblood of its economy , is carried through the oceans via its international seaports . Malaysia ’ s maritime industry contribution to the GDP is about 20 % especially since marine and coastal tourism have become significant revenue earners .
Malaysia ’ s total sea area of 614,159km 2 is almost twice its landmass and the size of its exclusive economic zone ( EEZ ) alone is 453,186 km 2 . This spatial dimension is accentuated by the fact that Malaysia is a classic example of a nation fragmented by intervening waters , with more than 600km of the South China Sea separating Peninsular Malaysia from Sabah and Sarawak .
Maritime resources also contribute substantially to Malaysia ’ s prosperity with petroleum and gas constituting Malaysia ’ s single largest export commodity . Significantly , all of the nation ’ s gas and oil fields are found offshore . Petroleum and gas constitute Malaysia ’ s single largest export commodity .
It is obvious therefore , that the maritime sphere will become increasingly important in economic and security terms . It is hence of strategic importance for Malaysia to embrace the governance of IMO for the wellbeing of Malaysia and the world in general .
About IMO
IMO – the International Maritime Organisation – is the United Nations ( UN ) specialised agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships . IMO ’ s work supports the UN ’ s Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ).
As a specialised agency of the UN , IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety , security and environmental performance of international shipping . Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective , universally adopted and universally implemented .
In other words , its role is to create a level playing field so that ship operators cannot address their financial issues by simply cutting corners and compromising on safety , security and environmental performance . This approach also encourages innovation and efficiency .
Shipping is a truly international industry , and it can only operate effectively if the regulations and standards are themselves agreed upon , adopted and implemented on an international basis . And IMO is the forum at which this process takes place .
International shipping transports more than 80 % of global trade to peoples and communities all over the world . Shipping is the most efficient and cost-effective method of international transportation for most goods . It provides a dependable , low-cost means of transporting goods globally , facilitating commerce and helping to create prosperity among nations and peoples .
The world relies on a safe , secure and efficient international shipping industry , and this is
28 VOL 83 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2020