Malaysia Develops ASEAN Regional Training Centre For VTS At Port Klang - Transport Minister

LANGKAWI (Kedah, Malaysia), March 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is currently developing the ASEAN Regional Training Centre for Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) at the Maritime Transport Institute (MATRAIN) in Port Klang, said Minister of Transport Liow Tiong Lai. The training centre, which is fully funded by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund, will be utilised to implement training for VTS personnel in accordance with international standards to contribute to safe navigation of ships in ASEAN waters. "The centre will begin its first programme in July 2017 involving 20 participants from ASEAN countries for a three-month training course. "It is my fervent hope that in due course this centre will be able to accommodate participants from all Asia Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies Forum (APHoMSA) members in particular the Pacific Island Countries," he said when officiating the 18th Session of APHoMSA here. In another development, he said Malaysia will submit its candidacy to the Council of International Maritime Organization (IMO) under Category C for the next election at the IMO General Aseembly in November. Category C refers to states which have special interests in maritime transport or navigation. Liow said this is because Malaysia is keen and determined to continue playing an active part in achieving IMO's aspiration for safer seas and excellent standards of maritime industry. "We hope our esteemed peers will endorse and support our continued membership on the Council of IMO," he said. Malaysia has been a Member of IMO since 1971 and was successfully elected as a Council Member under Category C since 2005.​​ Liow also said that Malaysia has many domestic ferry services operating non conventional vessels, which unfortunately are not governed by the IMO, eventhough Langkawi as a tourist attraction relies heavily on those services. "Therefore this forum is timely and necessary for us maritime regulators to focus on safety issues without discouraging competitiveness in the industry," he said. More than 80 participants from 20 member countries, four specialised maritime organisations and four observer countries are attending the forum. -- BERNAMA