APEC Port Services Network (APSN)
APEC Port Services Network (APSN) is a self-funded organisation consisting of Council Members, Advisory Board Members and Regular Members of the APEC member economies. The initiative to establish the APEC Port Services Network was proposed at the 14th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November 2006 and was established in 2008. Malaysia has been a Council Member since 2011 and the Under Secretary Maritime Division, Ministry of Transport is the First Vice President of APSN.
The main objectives of the APSN are as follows:
- To promote the development of APEC port industry by fostering a more cohesive and cooperative partnership among APEC port and port-related industries;
- To encourage capacity-building and information sharing;
- To enhance safety, security, efficiency and environmental and social responsibility of individual port;
- To ensure the interests and views of APEC port industry are duly presented to the competent authorities of the member economies.
Cooperative Mechanism for the Straits of Malacca and Singapore
The Cooperative Mechanism is a form of cooperation between the littoral States and user States of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore namely Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia in the field of navigational safety and pollution in accordance with Article 43 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. The Cooperative Mechanism is composed of three main components as follows:
- Cooperation Forum;
A platform for discussion and sharing of opinions regarding safety of navigation and environmental protection among the littoral States and user States of the Straits. This forum provides an opportunity for the littoral States to obtain feedback from user States on safety of navigation as well as measures to enhance it through co-operation.
- Project Coordination Committee;
This committee is responsible for coordinating the implementation of projects in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore and also oversee the implementation of the project according to schedule. This committee comprises of representatives of the littoral States and user States that contribute to specific projects and programmes.
- Aids to Navigation Fund (ANF)
A fund set up with financial contributions and expertise as well as equipments from users of the Straits. Donations are channeled for the purpose of maintaining, repairing and replacing aids to navigation in the Straits.
Tripartite Technical Expert Group (TTEG) for the Straits of Malacca and Singapore
The Tripartite Technical Experts Group (TTEG) was established by the littoral states of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, namely Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore in 1975, due to the importance of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore to international shipping. The establishment of TTEG also shows the commitment of the littoral States to the safety of navigation in the Straits of Malacca including marine conservation at all times. The TTEG meeting is held every year involving representatives of the three littoral States to discuss on issues of navigation of safety, mechanism and methods to improve the level of safety of navigation, marine environmental protection and management of shipping traffic throughout the Straits. The hosting of the meeting is rotated among the three littoral States.
ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group (AMTWG)
The MTWG is a platform for the ASEAN countries to promote integration and cooperation in the maritime transport sector. The meetings focus on aspects of the shipping sector development, facilitating maritime trade, capacity development and capacity building. The Chairmanship of AMTWG is a rotated amongst ASEAN countries for a period of 2 years.
Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippine - East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP - EAGA);
Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines - East ASEAN Growth Area was established in 1994. Objective of BIMP - EAGA is sustainable economic development based on the value-added agro-industry, natural resource-based manufacturing, tourism and to enhance cooperation between BIMP – EAGA member countries.
Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT - GT)
IMT-GT was established in 1993. It is a platform that provides a framework to accelerate sub-regional economic cooperation and integration of the member countries and territories within the three countries on transport sector.
