COOPERATIVE MECHANISM ON SAFETY OF NAVIGATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN THE STRAITS OF MALACCA AND SINGAPORE,OPERATION OF THE AIDS TO NAVIGATION FUNDMUHAMMAD RAZIF AHMAD MARINE DEPARTMENT MALAYSIA,WHERE IT ALL BEGAN?,WHAT IS THE COOPERATIVE MECHANISM?,It is a simple means To meet on regular basis with users of the Straits To discuss issues relating to safety and protection of the marine environment To facilitate cooperation in maintaining the Straits,IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 43 OF UNCLOS,“User States and States bordering a strait should by agreement cooperate: - In the establishment and maintenance in a strait of necessary navigational and safety aids or other improvements in aid of international navigation; and - For the prevention, reduction and control of pollution from ships”,COMPONENTS OF THE COOPERATIVE MECHANISM,Cooperation Forum Project Coordination Committee Aids to Navigation Fund,Cooperation Forum,is the main avenue for user States, the shipping industry and other stakeholders to be invited to meet and co-operate with the littoral States,Project Coordination Committee,To coordinate the implementation of projects to promote safety of navigation and environmental protection on the basis of co-operation and burden sharing between littoral States and users of the Straits,Aids to Navigation Fund,To provide the means for all users of the Straits to make voluntary financial contributions towards the maintenance of aids to navigation in the Straits, such as light houses, light beacons and light buoys,WHERE ARE WE NOW?,What has happened since the 2007 Singapore Meeting?,September 2007,Malaysia agreed to be the first host of the Aids to Navigation Fund Period of 3 years from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2010,January - April 2008,Marine Department Malaysia appointed to manage the Aids to Navigation Fund A bank account under the name of “Aids to Navigation Fund” was opened and became operational in May 2008,27 & 28 May 2008,Malaysia hosted the First Cooperation Forum in Kuala Lumpur 90 participants from 3 littoral States 17 user States 9 international organizations,29 May 2008,Malaysia hosted the First Project Coordination Committee 3 littoral States - Indonesia, Malaysia & Singapore 5 user States - Australia, China, Japan, Republic of Korea & the United States 2 international organizations - The International Maritime Organization & OCIMF,6 Projects,Removal of wrecks in the Traffic Separation Scheme area Cooperation and capacity building on hazardous and noxious substance preparedness and response Demonstration project of Class B AIS transponder on small ships Setting up of a tide, current and wind measurement system for the Straits Replacement and maintenance of aids to navigation in the Straits Replacement of aids to navigation destroyed or damaged by the tsunami in December 2004,IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AIDS TO NAVIGATION FUND,April 2008,Formal Establishment of the Aids to Navigation Fund Committee Members (Littoral States and Contributors): Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Republic of Korea, United Arab Emirates, the Nippon Foundation & the Middle East Navigation Aids Service (MENAS) Observers members: China, Greece, Japan and International Maritime Organization Dato Captain Ahmad Othman, Director General of Marine Malaysia appointed as Chairman,16 & 17 April 2008,First meeting of the Aids to Navigation Fund Committee in PenangFormally adopted the Rules of Procedures and Rules and Regulations Approved the conduct of assessment survey on aids to navigation in the Straits Approved the appointment of a technical expert from Malacca Strait Council as consultant for the assessment survey Nippon Foundation agreed to fund the survey US$1.351 million UAE confirmed its contribution of US$100,000,30 & 31 October 2008,Second meeting of the Aids to Navigation Fund Committee in Kuching, Sarawak Adopted the report of the assessment survey Approved in principle the 10 year plan maintenance programme for aids to navigation in the Straits Approved in principle the work programme and budget for 2009 Japan through the Malacca Strait Council confirmed its commitment to contribute US$0.5 million,THE CONTRIBUTORS,The Nippon Foundation US$1.351 million for assessment survey of aids to navigation 1/3 of the total cost required to replace and maintain the aids to navigation for the first 5 years United Arab Emirates US$100,000,THE POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTORS,Republic of Korea Middle East Navigation Aids Service (MENAS) Malacca Strait Council, Japan International Maritime Organization: initially with the contribution from Greece (who have already lodged into the IMO Fund a sum of US$1.0 million),STATUS OF THE ACCOUNT OF THE AIDS TO NAVIGATION FUND as at 31 October 2008,STATUS OF THE ACCOUNT OF THE AIDS TO NAVIGATION FUND as at 31 October 2008,Assessment survey of aids to navigation in the Straits: Purpose,Determine the exact status Determine the extent of repair and maintenance Provide a more accurate cost estimate Develop Plan Maintenance Programme (PMP) for a period of 10 years,