Brunei Darussalam’s commitment to upholding principles of MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) for over three decades, has been evident through its accession to various MARPOL Annexes, Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha said.
“Think of MARPOL as a set of rules that ships must follow to keep our seas clean and safe. These guidelines cover different aspects, such as preventing oil pollution, controlling the discharge of harmful liquids, handling dangerous substances in packages and preventing ships from polluting the sea with garbage,” the minister said in a message in conjunction with this year’s World Maritime Day.
MARPOL also takes a stand against plastic waste in the oceans and regulates the proper disposal of sewage by ships at sea. These regulations are crucial in preserving the cleanliness and health of the oceans, ensuring they remain pristine and pleasant environment for all, he said.
The minister said in line with the ongoing initiatives, Brunei continues to consider these regulations, aligning with SDG 14; at ensuring safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean oceans, which promotes a more environmentally conscious and sustainable future for the industry.
“Today, maritime transport remains the backbone of the international trading system, moving about 80 per cent of world cargo by volume. It is the most secure, safest and relatively energy-efficient means of transporting goods and people. Moreover, international shipping plays an integral part of the worldwide logistics network and serves as a crucial component of many industries’ supply chains, ensuring the seamless flow of cargoes and commodities across international borders,” he added.
“However, the potential impact of pollution stemming from maritime activities can be far-reaching and is multi-faceted – from oil spills that devastate marine ecosystems to emissions that contribute to air quality deterioration and climate change,” the minister said.
He added; “This year’s World Maritime Day holds immense importance in recognising the pivotal role that maritime activities play in the global economy and sustainable development.
The theme ‘MARPOL AT 50 – Our Commitment Goes On’, serves as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the most significant global legal instrument for the prevention of pollution from ships. It resonates with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) long history of safeguarding the environment against the repercussions of maritime activities caused by ships’ operational or accidental interventions through a robust set of requirements and standards.
“The MARPOL Convention remains an indispensable instrument in a world where maritime pollution incidents have served as a potent catalyst for change. As we reflect over the past five decades, we acknowledge the tremendous progress made collectively amongst all relevant stakeholders, including the international shipping and maritime community in reducing maritime pollution and fostering a culture of an environmentally sustainable shipping industry.
“Such steadfast commitment also heeds the call of the United Nations towards forging a pathway to sustainability for the betterment of present and future generations as stipulated in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. While acknowledging sustainable maritime transportation is a crosscutting issue and, as such, it forms an important enabler for most of the 17 associated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), among others ensuring accessible and clean energy (SDG 7), promoting industry, innovation, and robust infrastructure (SDG 9), advancing climate action and the responsible utilisation of oceans, seas, and marine resources (SDGs 13 and 14), while also acknowledging the importance of partnerships and effective implementation in achieving these objectives (SDG 17). Brunei Darussalam in particular, reiterates its support to the realisation of SDG14 which is an integral part of the IMO work that aimed at ensuring safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean oceans.
“It is imperative to recognise that our responsibilities extend beyond individual actions as there are also shared obligations to protect the health of our planet and the well-being of future generations. As the challenges posed by maritime pollution continue, our journey towards a more ecologically sound maritime sector remains an ongoing endeavour as we look ahead to the next 50 years.
“On this World Maritime Day, let us together ensure that our commitment to MARPOL goes beyond words and translates into impactful actions that shape a cleaner and greener maritime industry for generations to come. It is our aspiration for Brunei Darussalam to embrace a vision where the seas remain a sustainable source of life, inspiration and sustenance for all.”
