Director Participates in Forum on Safety of Navigation and Environmental Protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore

IOPC Funds’ Director, Gaute Sivertsen, participated in the 16th Forum on the Co-operative Mechanism on Safety of Navigation and Environmental Protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, held in Penang, Malaysia, from 29 to 30 September 2025.

The Forum provides a key platform for user States, the shipping industry and other stakeholders to engage with the littoral States of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore on matters of mutual concern in the Straits.

The Director delivered a brief overview of the role and structure of the IOPC Funds before focusing on how Member States can investigate the circumstances surrounding oil pollution incidents involving uninsured and unsafe ships.

Mr Sivertsen recalled measures already taken by the IOPC Funds’ governing bodies, including the adoption of resolutions in November 2024 to raise awareness of these risks and the endorsement of a guidance document to assist Member States in investigating such incidents. He underscored the importance of the guidance document, particularly in cases where critical information about an oil spill is unclear, such as the cause of the spill or the registration and insurance status of the ship.

The Director reminded participants of States’ obligations under the 1992 Civil Liability Convention (CLC) to ensure that ships under their flag, or entering their ports, carry the necessary insurance or financial security. He reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the interests of contributors, Member States and the international compensation regime, emphasising that sharing compensation costs between shipowners and the oil industry remains vital to the proper functioning of the IOPC Funds’ system.

The Forum was a successful event, well attended by representatives not only from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, but also Japan, China and the United States, alongside officials from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Key stakeholders in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore were also represented, such as shipowners’ associations, straits pilots, port authorities and leading NGOs including BIMCO, INTERTANKO and the World Shipping Council.