Indonesia in the IMO

KOMPAS/MUKHAMAD KURNIAWAN

The Indonesian delegation poses for a photograph shortly before a banquet on the sidelines of the 31st session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at the IMO headquarters in London, England, Thursday (11/28/2019). Indonesia was reelected as a member of the Category C IMO Council for the 2020-2021 period. Moreover, the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) was selected as an external auditor for the 2020-2023 period for the special body under the United Nations.

Indonesia’s membership on the council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) provides an opportunity to improve our maritime security and the quality of our marine products.Indonesia was inducted last week as a Category C member of the IMO council for 2019-2020. Category C comprises 20 countries with “special interests in maritime transport or navigation” whose inclusion “will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world”.

An important element of IMO membership is evident in the council’s duties. The council determines the policy direction and drafts international maritime laws that will affect national interests. The IMO’s main duties are to establish and maintain the sea transportation regulatory framework, including security, environmental protection, laws, technical cooperation, shipping safety and efficiency and industries.

As the world’s largest archipelagic nation, Indonesia’s membership on the IMO council is well deserved. As a council member, Indonesia has an improved bargaining position in its strategic role to maintain shipping management and security around the world, including Indonesia. Furthermore, Indonesia will be involved in planning a framework for shipping and logistics transportation, as well as relevant regulations, which will affect the country’s sovereignty. Indonesia will also benefit economically.

KOMPAS/ALIF ICHWAN

The loading and unloading activities of the US Columbia cargo ship at the container port, Jakarta International Container Terminal, Tanjung Priok, Jakarta, Tuesday (11/11/2019). President Joko Widodo called on the relevant Indonesian Cabinet ministers to improve the trade balance deficit by boosting export performance by searching for nontraditional markets and increasing free trade agreements to increase Indonesia\'s exports.

Thus far, Indonesia has been actively participating to ensure shipping protection and security. Among Indonesia’s proposals to the IMO was recognition of the Indonesian Archipelagic Sea Lane (ALKI) and their branches. In line with Law No. 6/1996, the ALKI is Indonesia’s national shipping lane that foreign vessels and airplanes can use for normal shipping and flights with continuous transits, direct and fast routes. Indonesia has three ALKIs that run north to south and vice versa.

Maritime regulation is expected to be more complex and important in the future. Geopolitical changes in Asia shows that China has a huge interest in dominating the South China Sea, which has raised growing concerns in East Asian countries over free, safe and undisrupted sea transportation.

Security in marine trade faces constant obstacles, including piracy in Indonesian, Singaporean and African waters.

A technical cooperation framework is also important to prevent piracy and armed robbery at sea for countries with maritime borders.

Indonesia also has an important role in developing technical cooperation for combating climate change. The increase in the surface temperature of the Earth will cause rising sea levels that will affect archipelagic and coastal countries. A technical cooperation framework is also important to prevent piracy and armed robbery at sea for countries with maritime borders.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

Members of Kopaska (the premier frogman and underwater demolition unit of the Indonesian Navy) carry out a simulation to liberate a ship under terrorist control during the Tanjung Perak Port Security Training activity by the Koarmada II Fleet Command, Surabaya, East Java, Thursday (28/11/2019). The activity was held to create an understanding onf the procedures to safeguard the port and the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code). Up to 595 personnel took part in the training activity.

The sea is our future. We have yet to give our best attention to the sea for the prosperity of Indonesians and the world. Indonesia’s membership on the IMO council must answer to these needs