Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.
Alhamdulillahi Rabbil `Alameen. Wasaalatu Wassalaamu `Ala Asyrafil Ambiae Walmursaleen, Saidina Muhammadin Wa’alaa Aalihiee Wasahbihee Ajama’een.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, and a very good morning to all.
Yang Mulia Captain (Ret.) Zil Husam bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam (MPABD);
Your Excellencies High Commissioners, Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic Corp;
Distinguished MPABD Board Members;
Permanent Secretary, Deputy Permanent Secretaries, Senior Officials;
Respected leaders of the maritime community, esteemed industry partners, and delegates of the ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group and dialogue partners representatives;
Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,
1. Welcome to the Brunei Darussalam Maritime Week 2025. It is my sincere privilege to be given the honour to address you this morning to mark the opening of the second reiteration of the Brunei Darussalam Maritime Week. To all our international guests, I also welcome you to Brunei Darussalam.
2. This year’s Brunei Darussalam Maritime Week also marks our commemoration of this year’s World Maritime Day that was observed internationally on the 25th of September. The day is used to lay focus on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the maritime environment. These are topics that are also being covered in this week’s forums and exhibition halls. The theme for Brunei Darussalam Maritime Week “OUR OCEAN, OUR OBLIGATION, OUR ACTION” has also been adapted from the World Maritime Day theme, but tailored to our focus on taking action.
3. The theme serves as a call to responsibility and a challenge to deliver. Obligation gives us purpose. Action defines the legacy we will leave. Today, we move beyond conversation towards bold, measurable change that will shape the future of the maritime sector and secure our oceans for generations to come.
4. Alhamdulillah, I am pleased to note that over the past year the Marine and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam (MPABD), has worked tirelessly at not only setting goals, but on delivering them. Today, we will witness milestones that has been achieved that would undoubtedly chart the course going forward.
5. Among others, these include the launch of a state-of-the-art Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) to help advance safety and efficiency of navigation; the signing of Cadetship Scholarships to build a robust Bruneian maritime workforce; and demonstrations that showcase the digitalisation of MPABD’s services and remote monitoring of marine Aids to Navigation equipment as part of the next phase of their modernisation journey.
6. On safety and security, the first phase of the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) upgrade begins today and will be completed by end of 2025. Phase two is scheduled for completion in 2026 where MPABD is committed to reducing and eventually achieving zero major navigational incidents annually and halving minor incidents, through stronger compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, regular joint search and rescue exercises, and more advanced navigation systems.
7. As also mentioned by the IMO (International Maritime Organisation), Secretary General, in his video message, the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, has in June this year, deposited its instruments of accession to the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, also known as the FAL Convention.
8. The IMO FAL Convention aims to simplify and harmonize procedures for the clearance of ships, cargo, and crew to facilitate international maritime trade, enhance safety, and improve port efficiency. Together with the launch of the Maritime Single Window, earlier in March this year, that integrates multiple systems, through an integrated digital platform demonstrates our resolve at improving the overall efficiency, sustainability, competitiveness and growth of our maritime sector. We hope to create a maritime environment where ease of doing business is paramount.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
9. I’m pleased to note that the Marine and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam (MPABD) has also responded to the task to look at further improving the local content aspects of the maritime sector.
10. With the observed growth and further growth opportunities, the industry has the ability to grow the available job opportunities for locals.
11. In addition, MPABD is to also look at reassessing and sustaining our capabilities, through the likes of the Brunei Maritime Academy (BMA), for example, to be able to develop and cultivate a highly skilled maritime workforce that supports and can drive our economic diversification and sustainable development efforts.
12. In this regard, we will later witness the award of scholarships through our Maritime Academy cadetships programme. Nine (9) Bruneian cadets will receive their scholarships today, and MPABD aims to support at least 10 new cadets every year, with a dedicated pathway to empower women and men to enter and thrive in maritime careers.
13. This commendable and meaningful programme is in line with the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s aspiration to creating a thriving maritime industry that is safe and sustainable. This is important, as logistics, that includes the maritime logistics, play an important role to support the existing and growing logistics requirements in support of our country’s diversification efforts.
14. MPABD will be partnering with the Brunei Maritime Academy, to deliver accredited training across VTMS operations, pilotage support, marine engineering, and digital maritime operations, preparing our talent for a dynamic and technology-driven future.
15. As we look to the horizon, we are laying the foundation for a logistics landscape defined by efficiency, connectivity, and growth. The planned Muara Port expansion, enhanced ship-to-ship operations, lay-up, bunkering, and marine logistics can position Brunei as an attarctive player and a trusted partner in regional trade while streamlining cross-border voyages with our regional neighbors for seamless connectivity.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
16. Our direction is clear, we all need to champion the stewardship of our seas and the modernization of our systems, resolving audit findings, strengthening the MPABD Act and Merchant Shipping Order, and aligning with the latest IMO facilitation and data standards.
17. Let this Brunei Darussalam Maritime Week be more than an annual occasion. Let it be used as a catalyst for advancement of our maritime sector. I urge every delegate to engage actively, make full use of the panels and experts, and forge strategic partnerships.
18. Let it be a defining moment where ideas turn into projects, projects that create opportunities and opportunities that can cement Brunei Darussalam’s standing as a safe, efficient, sustainable and well-governed maritime operations.
19. For Brunei Darussalam, the maritime sector is a beating heart of our economy. It facilitates trade, attracts high-value services, strengthening national resilience, enhancing vital connections and creating meaningful, future-ready careers for our people.
20. In closing, I wish to convey my deepest appreciation to our dedicated team at MPABD, our partners across government, industry, academia, as well as the global maritime community for your valuable contributions and commitment.
Wabillahi Taufik Walhidayah, Wassalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
