1. Shipping is a pillar of the world economy, which plays an important role in facilitating the seamless movement of goods, resources and communities across the world. When we speak about shipping, safety is, and must always be, a top priority. Ensuring the safety of ships, crews and cargo is essential for the smooth operation of the industry, safeguarding lives and protecting the environment, all while ensuring international trade can continue operating efficiently without disruption.
2. Since its establishment in 1948, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has placed safety at the heart if its mission, continuously updating its regulations to address current challenges and anticipate future needs. The theme for 2024, ‘Navigating the Future: Safety First!’ aligns with the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the 1974 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), which is a key international treaty aimed at protecting the safety of ships, crews and passengers.
3. This year’s theme reflects the IMO’s dedication to maritime safety, particularly in the face of new technological advancements. It calls for safety standards to evolve in tandem with the rapid developments in digitalization and automation, which are transforming the global shipping industry.
4. I am pleased to share that this year also marks the 40th anniversary of Brunei Darussalam’s membership in the IMO. As we celebrate this milestone, it is important that we reaffirm our commitment to maintaining safety, security and environmental protection in all maritime operations.
5. As a member state, Brunei Darussalam acknowledges that since 1st January 2024, the requirement to use a single, centralized digital platform or ‘Maritime Single Window’ (MSW) to collect and exchange information with ships when they call at ports, has become mandatory on all member states. Therefore, Brunei Darussalam, through the respective agencies, are working together to ensure Brunei Darussalam will fulfil this important requirement by March 2025. By implementing this system, we will see more streamlined processes, improved cargo management as well as enhanced the overall efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness of our maritime sector. This initiative also reflects our continuous efforts to improve safety and security which is in line with this year’s World Maritime Day theme.
6. Looking ahead, Brunei Darussalam is steadily modernizing its maritime sector by embracing digitalization and automation, in line with the nation’s broader strategic goals. In addition to the current initiatives, Brunei Darussalam is also exploring the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and e-navigation systems to improve the safety and efficiency of maritime operations. While we are still in the early stages of adopting some of these technologies, there is a clear direction towards digitalization and modernization.
7. We will continue to work closely with IMO to strengthen our commitment to sustainable and efficient shipping practices. By staying aligned with SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and integrating the standards into our national maritime policies, Brunei Darussalam ensures full compliance and fortifies its commitment to safe, secure and efficient maritime operations, in line with global best practices.
8. As a demonstration of our commitment as a signatory to SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea), Brunei Darussalam upholds its obligation to international safety standards through the enforcement of safety regulations that align with the Convention’s principles. This ensures that our shipping industry meets international standards for ship construction, safety equipment, fire protection and life-saving appliances. Our nation also emphasizes the training and capacity building of maritime personnel to ensure they are well-versed in SOLAS safety protocols to maintain safe maritime operations.
9. A notable achievement for Brunei Darussalam is the recent qualification of 2 personnel from the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam (MPABD) as auditors under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS). This qualification, achieved through a sub-regional training course for auditors, marks a significant step forward for Brunei Darussalam. It strengthens our national capacity to contribute to global maritime safety standards and is a reflection of international recognition of our national expertise, as they are included in the pool of auditors qualified to carry out IMSAS audits for IMO Member States. I am confident that Brunei Darussalam will see more of our personnel obtaining this internationally recognized qualification and utilize their expertise to contribute to the global maritime safety.
10. On this World Maritime Day, as we navigate the future with safety first, we reaffirm that our focus remains on maintaining the highest safety standards to ensure the protection of both ships and the lives they carry. I would like to thank all seafarers, mariners and those in the industry for your invaluable contribution and encourage you all to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in your work. Together, let’s continue to steer our maritime sector toward a brighter and more sustainable future.
-end-
