Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have reaffirmed their commitment to keeping the Strait of Malacca free, open and safe for international shipping.
The three countries share primary stewardship of the vital waterway, which carries more than a fifth of global seaborne trade.
The Strait provides a major shipping route between the Middle East and East Asia, making its security important for global trade and energy supplies.
The commitment came during a two-day maritime conference involving officials from Southeast Asia and countries including China, France, Germany and Saudi Arabia.
Singapore Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said recent disruptions in the Middle East showed that open sea lanes cannot be taken for granted.
The Strait is managed through cooperation between Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, with Thailand also having a short coastline nearby.
Ships do not pay tolls to cross the waterway. Instead, voluntary international contributions help maintain navigation infrastructure such as buoys, beacons and lighthouses.
Since 2007, international maritime contributions have provided around $26 million for navigation support.
Malaysia Marine Department Director General Datuk Dickson Dollah stressed cooperation and information-sharing as important safeguards for global trade.
Former Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda also highlighted the Malacca Strait’s cooperative model amid growing geopolitical tensions.
