Asean urged to work towards single shipping market

Mr Calvin Phua, Deputy Secretary (Hub Strategy) for Singapore's Ministry of Transport (centre), flanked by delegates at the 37th Asean Maritime Transport Working Group on March 5, 2019. PHOTO: MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE

Asean member states must continue to work towards the establishment of a single shipping market, said Mr Calvin Phua, deputy secretary of hub strategy at the Ministry of Transport, yesterday.

This would allow for the "free flow of intra-Asean shipping services", he said, describing shipping as a "key enabler" of economic growth in the region.

Asean must continue with efforts to improve maritime connectivity, he said, noting that by 2030, the region is set to become the world's fourth largest economy after the European Union, the US, and China. "Globally, 90 per cent of world trade is carried by shipping, and maritime transport will continue to be a critical backbone of Asean's growth," he added.

"We must therefore press on with our efforts to reduce cross-border barriers, and to achieve a seamless Asean. This will increase trade and investment, and create economic opportunities for the people of Asean."

Mr Phua was speaking at the 37th meeting of the Asean Maritime Transport Working Group (MTWG). The group works to coordinate maritime transport related programmes, projects and activities under the Kuala Lumpur Transport Strategic Plan 2016-2025, which aims to enhance economic integration for the region's transport sector.

The meeting, which ends tomorrow, is the third to be hosted by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore during Singapore's two-year chairmanship of the group, which ends this year.

Mr Phua said the meeting will see the group discuss measures such as a pilot project on the establishment of a single shipping market.

Separately, Asean member states are also working towards the Asean Open Sky Policy, an unified aviation market in the region.

The MTWG must also promote safe and sustainable international shipping, he added. "At the 36th MTWG, member states had agreed to look into programmes to raise awareness on maritime transport safety as well as contingency plans for marine incidents," he said.

The group is also in discussions with Japan on an Asean Green Ship strategy, said Mr Phua, noting this will complement the International Maritime Organisation's strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships. "I encourage the MTWG to continue such discussions to enhance safe and sustainable shipping," he said.

Other issues discussed included improving navigational safety and protection of the marine environment.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 06, 2019, with the headline Asean urged to work towards single shipping market. Subscribe