Coordination with International Partners to Address Regulatory and Enforcement Gaps in Dealing with Illegal Shipping Practices
Ministry of TransportSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns government efforts to coordinate with international partners against shadow fleet vessels operating beyond Singapore’s waters to circumvent sanctions, as raised by Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui. Minister of State Jeffrey Siow stated that Singapore works with Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand through the Malacca Straits Patrol to share information and conduct coordinated maritime patrols. Agencies also collaborate with international partners on industry engagements regarding sanctions risks and exchange data to assist in investigations of domestic regulation breaches. As a Vessel Traffic Service authority, Singapore monitors movements and reports any contraventions of International Maritime Organization instruments to Flag States while fully implementing United Nations Security Council resolutions. Ultimately, Singapore does not condone illegal shipping practices and maintains the authority to deny entry to or detain any vessels that fail to comply with domestic or international requirements.
Transcript
57 Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui asked the Acting Minister for Transport in light of reports that shadow fleet vessels engaging in illegal or deceptive shipping practices for the facilitation of circumventing sanctions often operate just beyond Singapore's territorial waters, what steps is the Government taking to coordinate with international partners to address regulatory and enforcement gaps arising.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: Given that these alleged illicit activities take place beyond Singapore's territorial waters, we need international cooperation to address them.
In the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, our agencies work closely with neighbouring countries to combat illicit maritime activities. For example, we share information and conduct coordinated patrols with Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand through the Malacca Straits Patrol. We have cooperation mechanisms with international partners to exchange information, which can aid investigations on breaches of our domestic regulations. Our agencies also work with international partners to conduct regular industry engagements with the business, maritime and financial communities on sanctions imposed by other countries, including associated secondary sanctions risks.
Singapore is one of the Vessel Traffic Service authorities for the Mandatory Ship Reporting System in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. In the areas under our purview, we closely monitor vessel movements and provide information to ensure safety of navigation. Any contraventions of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO's) conventions and instruments are reported to the vessels' Flag State for their follow-up actions.
Singapore fully implements the United Nations Security Council resolutions and does not condone illegal or deceptive activities by shadow fleet vessels. All vessels that do not comply with our domestic legislation and requirements, as well as the relevant conventions and instruments of the IMO may be denied entry into or detained in Singapore.
This is an important and complex issue that the Singapore Government pays close attention to. We will continue working closely with international partners to address these challenges effectively.