"The two countries strengthen mutually beneficial international cooperation in handling pollution due to marine oil spills," Secretary of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, Lollan Panjaitan, noted in a statement from his office on Wednesday (August 21).
The cooperation between both nations was carried out by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on the Prevention and Handling of Transboundary Marine Pollution.
"The signing of the MoU and SOP is a manifestation of strong bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Australia in maintaining and overcoming marine environmental pollution, especially in emergency incidents of oil spills at sea," he stated.
Meanwhile, Director of the Sea and Coast Guard Unit of the Ministry of Transportation, Jon Kenedi, affirmed that the agreement was an important step in intensifying relations between Indonesia and Australia to take preparatory steps and overcome marine pollution.
"This reflects our shared commitment to keep our seas safe and clean," Kenedi remarked.
Under the MoU, the two countries agreed to form an understanding of the benefits of incorporating international requirements for ship safety and prevention and control of environmental pollution, he explained.
Indonesia and Australia also encourage regional cooperation mechanisms to build skills and capabilities in preventing and handling marine oil spill pollution incidents, he added.
"Also encourage mutually beneficial assistance in preparing, controlling, and handling marine oil spill pollution incidents," Kenedi remarked.
He stated that through the MoU, Indonesia and Australia can exchange information on capabilities and planning in handling oil spill pollution nationally.
This is followed by cooperation to build marine oil spill pollution handling capabilities and procedures for delivering information on potential and threats or incidents of oil spill pollution.
It then encompasses creating a procedure for coordinating joint operations to handle marine oil spill pollution and creating a shared understanding of the principles of responsibility and compensation for marine oil spill pollution.
“I hope this agreement marks the beginning of concrete actions and further collaboration between the two countries," he stated.
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Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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