Welcome Remarks by Mr Calvin Phua, Deputy Secretary (Hub Strategy), Ministry of Transport, Singapore at the 38th Meeting of the ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group

Distinguished Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen

1.     Good morning. It’s a pleasure to join you at the 38th Meeting of the ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group. Let me extend a warm welcome to our friends from the various ASEAN member states, ASEAN’s dialogue partners, and ASEAN Secretariat. Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate the ASEAN Secretariat on the opening of its new office building.

2.     When we last gathered at the 37 th MTWG, I encouraged ASEAN Member States to work together to enhance maritime connectivity and promote a safe and sustainable shipping industry. Today, let me suggest three important factors, or ingredients, as we seek to further develop ASEAN’s maritime transport sector.

Embrace Technology

3.     First, we should embrace technology. Technological innovations have the potential to bring about massive improvements in maritime transport. For example, automation can improve efficiency and productivity. Remote access can improve operations and ship monitoring and management. And data analytics can help to improve maritime safety.

4.     We should use the MTWG as a platform to explore how technology can be applied to improve maritime transport in ASEAN. We have already taken some steps. The ASEAN Secretariat has conducted a useful study on the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on ASEAN. ASEAN is also exploring with China the feasibility of implementing e-certificates on board ships, which will do away with hard copies and save time and costs. I urge MTWG to build on these initiatives and develop other beneficial technology use cases.

5.     Beyond the actual implementation of technological innovations, it is also about fostering a mindset of openness to technology and innovation. More than ever before, public officials need to understand technology, use technology well, and manage the challenges that technology brings.

Develop Human Capital

6.     This brings me to the second factor: develop human capital. As regulators of maritime transport, we face constant and rapid change. Much is changing, all around us. I just mentioned technology. There are others – the global economy, the environment, supply chains, demographics, to name a few. Whether we can continue to improve the maritime sector safely and sustainably, for the benefit of the people and businesses in our region, and to create prosperity for our region, will increasingly depend on whether we can develop the people in the sector and equip them with the skills and mindsets. I mention mindsets because we need our people to have the right orientation, to continue to improve themselves and to make things better.

7.     Capacity building has been a cornerstone of MTWG, and I am glad to see this commitment being renewed. To this end, I would like to thank our Dialogue Partners for their assistance with capacity development programmes. One such example is the provision of Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) operator courses by Japan, which have helped to train VTS operators and equip them with the knowledge and skills to keep our seas and waterways safe. I am glad that Japan has agreed to extend Phase 2 of the programme.

8.     The ASEAN-IMO Partnership is another pillar in the development of maritime human capital. I thank the IMO for helping to meet the training needs of the ASEAN Member States through the various programmes under the Technical Cooperation Framework. One such programme is the regional train-the-trainers workshop focused on the implementation of the IMO Conventions, which was held in Singapore in May this year. Singapore will continue to do our part to support the Technical Cooperation Framework and help to meet the capacity development needs of ASEAN member states.

Work Together

9.     Finally, let me encourage everyone to continue to work together closely to enhance the stability and robustness of ASEAN’s maritime sector.

10.    It was only through close collaboration that we were able to conclude the (a) MOU on the Improvement of Safety Standards and Ship Inspection for Non-Convention Ships; (b) Guidelines for Safety Standards of Non-Convention Ships; and (c) ASEAN Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan in the past two years.

Conclusion

11.    In conclusion, let me express my deepest appreciation to MTWG colleagues, the ASEAN Secretariat and our Dialogue Partners for your strong support during Singapore’s chairmanship of the MTWG in the past two years.

12.    As we hand the torch over to our Thai colleagues, I am confident that they will take the MTWG to greater heights.

13.    I wish you a productive discussion at the 38th MTWG, and a pleasant and enjoyable stay in Singapore. Thank you.