The Republic of Indonesia has formally notified IMO of its intention to ratify the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Convention), Annexes III, IV, V and VI, and the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR).

Mr. E.E. Mangindaan, Minister for Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia, told IMO Secretary-General Mr. Koji Sekimizu of the intention to ratify on 3 August 2012, during the Secretary-General's visit to Indonesia.

The Secretary-General expressed his strong appreciation to the Minister for his efforts to have these two important Conventions ratified and encouraged the Minister to accelerate efforts towards ratification of other IMO conventions, including the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004, and the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009.

During the visit, Secretary-General Sekimizu also met with Mr. Wardana, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia, before proceeding to Batam, Indonesia for the hand-over ceremony of the Marine Electronic Highway (MEH) IT system.

Source: World Maritime News