Cooperative Mechanisms in the Malacca Straits

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Cooperative Mechanisms in the Malacca Straits
S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

• Joshua Ho
• Senior Fellow
• 14 May 09

Introduction
Malacca Straits Patrol
Conclusion
Cooperative Mechanism
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Major Sea Lanes in Southeast Asia

• Malacca Straits is the main corridor between the
  Indian Ocean and the South China Sea
• 70,000 vessel ply through the Straits annually
• Energy and raw material flows from west to east
• Finished good flows from east to west
• 525 million metric tonnes worth US390 billion
  transported per year
• Maritime traffic will increase in the future
• Traffic has increased by 61 from 1999-2007
• Free, safe and secure navigation is an overriding
  imperative
• Disruptions to maritime flow will have
  widespread and far-reaching detrimental effects

Introduction
Malacca Straits Patrol
Conclusion
Cooperative Mechanism
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The Cooperative Mechanism (CM)

• IMOs Protection of Vital Shipping Lanes
  Initiative
• Three meetings from 2005-2007 at the respective
  capitals of the littoral countries
• Framework of cooperation developed between uses
  fo the straits and the littoral states - the
  Cooperative Mechanism
• Cooperative Mechanism was a historic breakthrough
  as Article 43 of UNCLOS was implemented for the
  first time

Introduction
Malacca Straits Patrol
Conclusion
Cooperative Mechanism
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The Cooperative Mechanism (CM)

• Three components to Cooperative Mechanism
• Forum for Cooperation
• Comprises senior technical experts from the
  littoral countries
• Main avenue for interested users to meet and
  cooperate with the littoral state
• Project Coordinating Committee
• Removal of wrecks
• Capacity building on HNS preparedness and
  response
• Demonstration project on equipping small boats
  with AIS
• Replacement and maintenance of aids to navigation
• Setting up of tide, current and wind measurement
  system

Introduction
Malacca Straits Patrol
Conclusion
Cooperative Mechanism
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The Cooperative Mechanism (CM)

• Aids to Navigation Fund
• Interested stakeholders can volunteer financing
  the maintenance of critical aids to navigation
• Many countries and industry-related organisations
  have participated and contributed to the CM
• However, CM is only one aspect of the cooperative
  efforts to keep the Straits free, safe and secure
• Security aspect has largely been undertaken by
  the navies of the littoral States

Introduction
Malacca Straits Patrol
Conclusion
Cooperative Mechanism
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Leading up to MSP

• Largely national and bilateral prior to inception
  of MSP
• National level
• Improved patrol assets
• Increased surveillance
• Patrols and exercises in affected areas
• Bilateral level in the form of coordinated
  patrols
• Between Indonesia and Singapore
• Between Indonesia and Malaysia
• Between Malaysia and Thailand
• Communications links between operations centres

Introduction
Malacca Straits Patrol
Conclusion
Cooperative Mechanism
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Malacca Straits Sea Patrol (MSSP)

• Operation MALSINDO
• Launched in 2004
• 17 ships from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore
• Aimed at reducing piracy and smuggling activities
• Navies patrol within their respective territorial
  waters and EEZ
• Later renamed to Malacca Straits Patrol (MSP)
• Thailand commenced its sea patrol in Oct 2008
• The revised SOP was also signed in late-2008

Introduction
Malacca Straits Patrol
Conclusion
Cooperative Mechanism
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Eyes in the Sky (EiS)

• Launched in Sep 2005
• Participating countries each contribute two MPA
  sorties per week
• MPA is allowed to fly above the waters of the
  participating states
• Achieved by embarking Combined Maritime Patrol
  Team (CMPT)
• Under Phase II extra-regional countries can
  participate

Introduction
Malacca Straits Patrol
Conclusion
Cooperative Mechanism
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Intelligence Exchange Group (IEG)

• Formed in 2006
• Comprises the intelligence agencies of each
  participating country
• Analysis of each incident to provide trending for
  operational responses
• Information is shared real time through the
  Malacca Straits Patrol Information System
  (MSP-IS)

Introduction
Malacca Straits Patrol
Conclusion
Cooperative Mechanism
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MSP-IS

• Allow users to share WHITE shipping information
• Allow users to disseminate information quickly
  between the littoral states
• Inaugural Information Sharing Exercise held in
  Mar 2008

Introduction
Malacca Straits Patrol
Conclusion
Cooperative Mechanism
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Effective Sharing thru MSP-IS

• Hijacked off Sumatra
• Ship name was changed from MV KRATON to MV RATU
• The ship was to r/v the mastermind in the
  Singapore Strait

Introduction
Malacca Straits Patrol
Conclusion
Cooperative Mechanism
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Effective Sharing thru MSP-IS

• Case of MLC Nancy 5 spurred quick information
  sharing
• Signing of Information Sharing Procedures in 2009
  to govern information sharing between four
  countries

Introduction
Malacca Straits Patrol
Conclusion
Cooperative Mechanism
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Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC)
Joint Coordinating Committee
Malacca Straits Sea Patrol
Eyes in the Sky
Intelligence Exchange Group
Introduction
Conclusion
Malacca Straits Patrol
Cooperative Mechanism
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Extra-Regional Involvement

• Malacca Straits Patrols confined to the four
  littoral Stats only
• Extra-regional countries have been contributing
  through capacity building, training and technical
  assistance
• United States is assisting in the installation of
  the IMSS
• Japan has contributed patrol craft and trained
  regional law enforcement officers
• China has offered help in capacity building
• India has conducted joint patrols with Indonesia

Introduction
Malacca Straits Patrol
Conclusion
Cooperative Mechanism
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Safeguarding the Sea Lanes

• Reliance on the sea as a mode of transport will
  increase in the future
• Surge in use of sea lanes means an increased need
  to cooperate
• Cooperation should be done through established
  principles
• Littoral states have the primary role in
  addressing maritime security issues
• Other stakeholders have important roles to play
• Consultation should be pursued and the rule of
  international law observed in the implementation
  of any initiatives

Introduction
Malacca Straits Patrol
Conclusion
Cooperative Mechanism
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Conclusion
Thank You
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