The Director General of Sea Transportation, Antoni Arif Priadi, affirmed Indonesia's commitment to the principles, emphasizing that there is no change in the commitment. The preparatory steps taken by the Indonesian government through the Ministry of Transportation, particularly the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, signify the seriousness of ensuring that maritime safety and security standards are well met in Indonesian territorial waters.

 "Indonesia recognizes the key role played by the IMO in setting global standards for the safety, security, and environmental performance of international shipping. This puts Indonesia in a position to actively contribute to the formation of international policies and regulations governing the maritime industry," Antoni said in a written statement, Jakarta, Tuesday (27/2/2024).

Indonesia's experience in the Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS) in 2014 has been a strong driver for Indonesia's commitment to maritime safety. The lessons learned from the experience have been the foundation for shaping Indonesian policies and practices, leading to the improvement of maritime infrastructure as well as the development of a stronger national regulatory framework.

In the face of IMSAS in 2025, the Director General of Sea Transportation emphasized the importance of Indonesia's preparation to demonstrate its continued commitment to the highest standards of maritime safety, security, and environmental protection. The preparatory steps taken by the Indonesian government aim to ensure that Indonesia remains a leader in meeting global standards in the maritime field, as well as maintaining the country's reputation as an active and responsible member of the international maritime community.

"The IMSAS mock audit that begins today provides a valuable opportunity for Indonesia to evaluate the extent of its readiness for IMSAS. To that end, we must approach IMSAS with a holistic and proactive mindset, ensuring that our maritime administration is fully compliant with IMO conventions," he emphasized.

Furthermore, the preparation through the mock audit not only involves a thorough review of existing systems but also involves the identification and implementation of necessary improvements. These steps are important to ensure that Indonesia is ready for IMSAS in 2025 with optimal readiness. Through the mock audit, the Indonesian government can identify areas where improvements are needed in compliance with the maritime safety, security, and environmental protection standards set by the IMO. By doing so, Indonesia can ensure that not only can existing systems be maintained, but it can also establish concrete measures to improve the country's overall maritime performance.

"It is hoped that we can all work together, actively participate, and carry out the principle of openness so that all deficiencies and findings can be known early on to be corrected as soon as possible," he concluded.

source : economy.okezone.com