Indonesia and Australia Strengthen Cooperation to Enhance Transportation Safety
The Indonesian and Australian governments have reaffirmed their joint commitment to enhancing transportation safety cooperation through the organisation of the Indonesia-Australia Transport Safety Forum held in Canberra and Sydney, Australia.
The event serves as a strategic high-level forum for transportation officials under the framework of the Indonesian Transport Safety Assistance Package (ITSAP) between Indonesia and Australia.
“This forum acts as a platform for strengthening bilateral collaboration to support the creation of a safe, secure, and sustainable transportation system,” said Acting Director of the Maritime and Shipping Supervision Unit (KPLP) of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, Ministry of Transportation, Triono, in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He explained that the forum discussed the evaluation of transportation safety cooperation between Indonesia and Australia, while also preparing an action plan for the 2026-2027 cooperation period.
The scope of discussions in the forum covered various strategic issues, including maritime safety, maritime environmental protection, improved coordination for search and rescue (SAR).
In addition, transportation incident investigations, strengthening of transportation safety policies and regulations, as well as enhancing institutional capacity and human resources in the transportation sector.
Furthermore, Triono stated that the forum also held a Subworking Group Meeting between the KPLP Directorate and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
“In that meeting, both parties discussed several follow-up programmes in the field of maritime environmental protection to be implemented collaboratively,” Triono said.
The cooperation programmes to be followed up include Basic Equipment Operation (BEO Training), OILMAP Training, SPILL ASIA, National Plan Exercise Australia, Regional MARPOL Exercise, and Oil Sampling Training.
Through the forum, Indonesia and Australia reaffirmed their joint commitment to continue strengthening synergy and cooperation in the transportation sector, particularly in realising a safe, secure, and sustainable transportation system.
“To support regional connectivity and economic growth for both countries,” Triono said.
The Republic of Indonesia’s delegation was led by Secretary General of the Ministry of Transportation, Arif Toha, accompanied by the Head of the Centre for Facilitating International Partnerships and Institutions (PFKKI), Amiruddin, Acting Director of the Maritime and Shipping Supervision Unit (KPLP), Triono, as well as representatives from Basarnas, KNKT, Airnav, and related work units.
Meanwhile, the Australian delegation was led by Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, Jimm Betts.
The forum was also attended by representatives of transportation safety authorities, maritime regulators, and related stakeholders from both countries.