International Maritime Pilot Association To Establish Joint Secretariat in Indonesia

Medan, N.Sumatra, (Antara Sumbar) - Members of the International Maritime Pilot Association have agreed to establish a joint secretariat office in Indonesia.

"This is one of the five points of the Bali Declaration agreed at the Asia Pacific Maritime Guard meeting in Bali at the end of August 2017 and was attended by more than 200 participants from various countries," Indonesian Maritime Pilot Association (INAMPA) President Pasoroan Herman Harianja stated here on Monday (Sept 11).

The participating countries are South Korea, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Canada, and Indonesia as the host.

The first Asia Pacific Maritime Forum was a manifestation of INAMPA's concern in supporting the government's programs that focus on maritime and tourism, as Indonesia's flagship industries in the future, in economic, cultural, diplomatic, and political aspects.

Pasaroan said the four other points emphasize that all participants agreed to establish a regional forum called the Asia Pacific Maritime Pilots Forum to promote professionalism and sustainability; support maritime pilots' safety across the region; and enhance intense communication with all member states, governments, international organizations, and stakeholders.

The members also agreed to take turns to hold biannual meetings in member states.

"We also agreed to increase cooperation among maritime pilots in the fields of technology and industry and share knowledge, experience, and skills to enhance the capacity and professionalism of maritime pilots in the Asia-Pacific region," Pasoroan noted.

The second meeting of the Asia Pacific Maritime Pilots Forum will be held in October 2019 in Sydney, Australia, he added. (*)

Editor: Vicha Faradika