Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, and a very good morning.
• Yang Mulia Captain (Ret.) Zil Husam bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive of MPABD;
• Your Excellencies; Mr. Francis Zachariae, Secretary-General of IALA;
• Permanent Secretaries, Directors, Industry Leaders, Members of Academia, Strategic Partners;
1. It is a pleasure to join all of you at the Brunei Darussalam Maritime Week. First, I would like to congratulate MPABD, together with the Organising Committee, as well as all sponsors, exhibitors and partners for making this important event possible.
2. I also wish to thank Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), for his inspiring video message that we will hear later.
3. A special welcome goes to Mr. Francis Zachariae, Secretary-General of International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA). Brunei Darussalam's accession as the 46th Member State of IALA earlier this year marks an important milestone for our maritime sector. It gives us a voice in shaping international standards for marine navigation and reinforces our commitment to safer seas. Your presence today makes this occasion especially meaningful.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
4. Here at Dermaga Diraja, Brunei's maritime heritage meets its future. For centuries, our waters connected us to regional trade, commerce and culture. The sea has never been a boundary for Brunei Darussalam. It has always been our gateway: for trade, food security, energy and international connectivity. Today, that gateway is more important than ever.
5. Yet the operating environment has become far more complex. Global supply chains continue to face geopolitical uncertainty, climate-related disruptions and increasing operational costs. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, global seaborne trade grew by only 0.5 per cent in 2025. It is a timely reminder that maritime connectivity should never be taken for granted.
6. For Brunei Darussalam, maritime development is therefore not simply a sectoral priority. It is fundamental to our economic competitiveness, national resilience, environmental stewardship and the achievement of Wawasan Brunei 2035.
7. That is why this year's theme is both timely and relevant: Powering Maritime Excellence: Safe Seas, Thriving Economy, Future-Ready People. These are not three separate ambitions. These are one continuous chain of success. Safe seas create confidence. Confidence attracts investment. Investment creates opportunities for our people.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
8. Safety, security and environmental protection are not obligations that compete with economic growth. They are the very foundation upon which sustainable maritime growth depends. To translate this commitment into action, let me highlight two key priorities.
- FIRST, our membership in IALA. Joining IALA was an important milestone, but membership alone is not the destination. The real value lies in how we apply international standards to strengthen our maritime capabilities. This means enhancing our aids to navigation, modernising Vessel Traffic Services, strengthening technical competencies and expanding cooperation with regional partners to ensure our waters remain safe, efficient and resilient.
- SECOND, the Ship-to-Ship and Lay-Up Designated Area, or SLDA. Earlier this year, MPABD conducted operational readiness exercises integrated with the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan. These exercises tested emergency procedures, communications and inter-agency coordination before commercial operations commence. This reflects the approach we must continue to take.
9. Every new maritime opportunity must be supported by sound risk management, environmental preparedness and clear accountability. Economic progress and environmental responsibility must advance together.
10. What we must do is ensure that our ports, regulations, safety standards, infrastructure and workforce are ready for whichever technologies emerge. Preparedness today will determine our competitiveness tomorrow.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
11. Brunei Darussalam is making significant investments in its maritime infrastructure. The expansion of Muara Port remains on track for completion in the third quarter of 2027. Once completed, the project will more than double the port's annual container handling capacity, strengthening Brunei Darussalam's trade connectivity and supporting future economic growth. Alongside this, the development of the Port Trade Zone will create new opportunities for logistics, manufacturing and value-added services.
12. However, infrastructure alone does not generate economic value. Its true value comes from greater cargo volumes, more reliable shipping services, efficient regulation and competitive maritime businesses.
13. Our objective is therefore clear: to translate infrastructure into increased trade, stronger investment, higher productivity and quality employment opportunities for Bruneians.
14. The SLDA presents another opportunity. Its success should not simply be measured by the number of vessels it serves, but by the broader maritime ecosystem it creates: pilotage, towage, bunkering, marine surveying, maintenance, training and professional services. The greater the value retained within Brunei, the greater the long-term economic benefit to our nation.
15. Digitalisation is equally critical. The launch of the Maritime Single Window in March 2025, followed by Brunei Darussalam's accession to the IMO FAL Convention, marked significant milestones in modernising our maritime administration. The guiding principle of the FAL Convention is simple: submit information once and reuse it many times.
16. The next phase is therefore not to create more digital platforms, but to integrate existing ones. The Maritime Single Window should serve as the single regulatory gateway, while the Port Community System should connect government agencies, shipping lines, port operators and logistics providers through seamless information sharing.
17. Ultimately, success will not be measured by the number of systems we launch, but by how much faster, simpler and more predictable we make doing business in Brunei Darussalam.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
18. Technology alone will not transform the maritime sector. People will. Earlier this year, MPABD launched Digital Transformation 2.0, expanding its online services while achieving ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certifications. These are important achievements and well done to MPABD.
19. But excellence is demonstrated not by certification itself but by consistently delivering efficient, reliable and customer-focused services. Likewise, a smart port is not simply one equipped with advanced technologies.
20. It is a port supported by accurate data, integrated systems, strong cybersecurity, informed decision-making and, above all, skilled people. The maritime workforce of tomorrow will therefore look very different from that of today.
21. We will continue to need experienced seafarers and marine engineers. At the same time, we will also need hydrographers, Vessel Traffic Service operators, cybersecurity specialists, data analysts, maritime lawyers and innovators who can drive the sector forward.
22. I am therefore encouraged that this Maritime Week places strong emphasis on youth development, workforce capability and greater participation of women in the maritime industry.
23. Programmes such as Meet and Explore and the Youth Rapporteur initiative should inspire the next generation and demonstrate that maritime careers today are innovative, technology-driven and internationally connected.
24. To our educational institutions and industry partners, I encourage continued collaboration to ensure every scholarship, cadetship and training programme lead to meaningful competency, practical experience and sustainable employment. Our future competitiveness depends on investing in people today.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
25. Last year, MPABD launched its five-year strategic plan, Navigating 2030, aligned with Wawasan Brunei 2035 and guided by the principles of Maqasid Syariah. Its priorities are clear:
• Strengthen maritime safety;
• Enhance economic contribution;
• Develop future-ready talent; and
• Accelerate digital and green transformation.
26. The direction has been established. Our responsibility now is implementation. Success will not be measured by the number of plans we produce or meetings we hold. It will be measured by tangible outcomes:
• Safer waters;
• Faster and more predictable maritime services;
• Stronger port connectivity and higher trade volumes;
• More Bruneians employed in high-value maritime careers; and
• Better emergency preparedness alongside a protected marine environment.
27. Achieving these outcomes requires three commitments from all of us.
- Firstly, implementation - turning ideas into projects with clear ownership, timelines and measurable results.
- Secondly, integration - bringing together government, industry and technology to deliver seamless end-to-end maritime services.
- And Thirdly, partnership - where government enables, industry invests, academia develops talent, and international partners share knowledge and best practices.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
28. Brunei Darussalam does not need to become the largest maritime nation. But we must strive to become one of the most trusted:
• Trusted for our governance.
• Trusted for our safety standards.
• Trusted for efficient reliable and competitive services.
• Trusted as a responsible and competitive maritime partner.
• Because safe seas build confidence.
• Confidence strengthens the economy. And
• Future-ready workforce transforms opportunity into lasting national progress.
29. With that, I wish everyone a productive and successful Brunei Darussalam Maritime Week. Thank you.
Wabillahi Taufiq Walhidayah, Wassalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
