COLLECTIVE EFFORT VITAL TO COMBATING MARITIME SECURITY THREATS

With the current maritime security landscape, where seaward threats are diversified and numerous, countries must engage each other and work together in order to ensure safer seas.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean, said this at the opening of the 7th International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX) Asia 2009 on 12 May.

Alongside their traditional roles of deterrence and as vehicles of diplomacy, navies today have to add the role of curtailing piracy to their plates. With an estimated 90 per cent of world trade conducted by sea, the security of ships traversing the major maritime arteries is imperative to the prosperity of the world.

In his speech, Mr Teo highlighted how the piracy situation in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia is a clear example of how "insecurity in one part of the world has global ramifications".

"The response to the situation in the Gulf of Aden requires a broader range of actors and stakeholders to be co-opted and engaged. Only then will we collectively have the capacity, resources, reach, ideas and expertise to deal with the problem," he said.

Closer to home, Mr Teo cited the Malacca Straits Patrols that bring together Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, as a good illustration of how regional countries can work together.

"The Malacca Straits Patrols have contributed substantially to bringing piracy levels down in regional waterways, through collective deterrence, information-sharing and sense-making, as well as coordinated responses at sea," he said.

Besides functional groups, events such as the biennial IMDEX present opportunities for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and its counterparts to deepen their ties, establish new ones and expand the network of cooperation.

This year, in conjunction with IMDEX Asia 2009, the RSN will be hosting the inaugural Maritime Information-Sharing Exercise (MARISX), which will be held from 11 to 15 May at the new Information Fusion Centre located in the Changi Command and Control Centre.

Through the exercise, the RSN will bring maritime partners together to practise the information sharing process and to validate the links between the operation centres.

A total of 39 International Liaison Officers from 16 countries and maritime security agencies will be participating in the exercise.

In addition, 18 foreign warships are also taking part in the IMDEX Asia 2009 Warships Display, which is being hosted by the RSN from 12 to 14 May.

13 May 09 - Activating the maritime information superhighway

13 May 09 - Realising Safe and Secure Seas For All