PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's shipping industry will benefit from good integration with international standards, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic).

       The Transport Minister added that with regards to this, Malaysia will encourage its ship-building industries and ports to ensure conformity with the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) strict standards

       Dr Wee said that over 90% of the world's cargo-carrying tonnage is covered by the classifications of design, construction and through-life compliance to the rules and standards set by the twelve member societies of the IACS.

       "Malaysia aspires to encourage our ship building industries and ports to ensure conformity with IACS's strict standards for ship design and safety especially components affecting the crew, even if we are not an official member," he added.

       Dr Wee said that even smaller domestic ferries that transport people and small-scale goods would be well served by following the safety standards practised internationally.

       He said this in a Facebook post on Saturday (Oct 16) after receiving a briefing on ship classifications from IACS secretary general Robert Ashdown and IACS IMO accredited representative Konstantin A. Petrov.

       On the IACS, he added that Malaysia would need to consult it in its advancements to decarbonisation and green voyage initiatives under the 12th Malaysia Plan push to reduce Malaysia’s greenhouse gas emissions by 45% before 2030.

       Dr Wee also said that one of the goals in the National Transport Policy is to drive the use of green technologies across all logistics and transportation terminals and infrastructure, said Dr Wee.