Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore Pledge to Keep Malacca and Singapore Straits Open
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Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore reaffirmed their shared commitment to keep the Straits of Malacca and Singapore open and safe for international shipping. The pledge was made in a joint statement issued after the 17th Cooperation Forum in Singapore. The straits are among the world's busiest shipping lanes, with over 100,000 vessels passing through annually.
Key Facts
- The joint statement was issued by Malaysia's Marine Department, Indonesia's Directorate General of Sea Transportation, and Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority.
- Singapore's Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said more than 100,000 vessels pass through the straits annually.
- The three countries affirmed the straits' status as a Strait Used for International Navigation under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
- The pledge comes amid the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran closed the waterway at the end of February.
Joint Commitment
Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore issued a joint statement after the 17th Cooperation Forum in Singapore. The statement was released by Malaysia's Marine Department, Indonesia's Directorate General of Sea Transportation, and Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority. The three countries agreed to work together to ensure the freedom, openness, and safety of the Malacca and Singapore Straits for international shipping.
Strategic Importance
Singapore's Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow called the straits vital arteries of global trade, with more than 100,000 vessels passing through annually. The Strait of Malacca is the shortest route from the Middle East to Asia and is vital for commodity traffic, including crude oil and refined petroleum products. The three countries affirmed the straits' status as a Strait Used for International Navigation under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Regional Context
The pledge comes amid the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran closed the waterway at the end of February, trapping millions of barrels of oil supply in the Persian Gulf. Siow said events in the Middle East this year reminded the world that open sea lanes can never be taken for granted. Saudi Arabia and 13 other countries previously announced a multinational maritime defense coalition for the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden.
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Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore Pledge to Keep Malacca and Singapore Straits Open
