Paid To Passage Straits Of Malacca

The idea that not only the littoral states but also user countries and shipping companies should contribute towards the cost of keeping the Straits of Malacca safe, secure and pollution-free is not new.It has been floating around for some time now. In the beginning, however, it tended to be couched in general appeals for international assistance and co-operation. Lately, more concrete proposals for contributions have been posted.

Last September, it took the form of a list containing six specific projects for the attention of user states. Now, ships passing through the waterway are being asked to consider contributing one US cent per deadweight tones to the proposed Malacca Straits Fund to help keep it safe and clean.

Considering that ships have been enjoying free passage from time immemorial, it would seem wishful thinking to expect them to agree to pay a toll now. With the notable exception of Japan and to a lesser extent, China all the calls for sharing the burden borne by the littoral states have just been water off a duck’s back. But the contributions from Japan and China demonstrate that while the proposal to levy a fee on ships will likely run into stormy weather, it is not exactly swimming against the tide.

With most of the oil that it needs carried by tankers traveling through the straits, and with its merchant vessels the target of pirate attacks, national interest dictated that Japan chip in to help make the straits safer for its ships, cargoes and crew.

It is in their own interest that the shipping lines should contribute to the fund. In the first place, it works very much like the insurance that they take out in that the levy goes towards providing them the protection that they need.

Moreover, the amount to be paid is a mere drop in the ocean and won’t threaten their bottom line. The stepped-up naval patrols and aerial surveillance by Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore have been effective in reducing piracy, but these are expensive affairs and so are the buoys, lighthouses and other navigation aids, and the measures to clean up oil spills.

Since the littoral states have taken purposeful measures to come to grips with the issues of safety, security and pollution, it is incumbent on the international maritime community to lend them a hand.

It is time the shipping industry took on board the idea that it too should contribute financially to the upkeep of one of the world’s busiest sea lanes.

Article Source: http://www.content.onlypunjab.com

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