MTI Pushes for Regulated Agent Scheme to Be Applied in Sea Transport
Djoko Setijowarno, an academic in the Civil Engineering programme at Unika Soegijapranata and advisor to the Indonesian Transport Society (MTI), is pushing for stronger maritime safety through the integration of manifest data and the adoption of the Regulated Agent (RA) system to monitor ship cargo, particularly hazardous and toxic materials (B3).
According to Djoko, safety oversight must not stop at the port. Inspections need to be carried out from the point of origin, so that every item loaded onto a vessel has been identified, examined and meets safety requirements.
The Regulated Agent concept, long applied in air transport, can be adapted to sea transport. The RA’s role is to ensure cargo is inspected, packed and sealed before being taken to the port.
“The RA’s function in sea transport is to help regulators and ship operators ensure that any B3 cargo undergoes packaging and handling in accordance with applicable regulations,” Djoko told Media Indonesia on Tuesday (15/9).
In his view, the RA can also exercise oversight from the moment cargo is received from the shipper until it is loaded onto a truck and transported to the port. Vehicles that have passed inspection and sealing can be directed straight to the ship-loading process.
If a vehicle carries B3 cargo, the RA must flag it and inform the ship operator and port authority. This information is essential so that the cargo can be handled properly on board.
“If the truck carries B3 cargo, the RA is obliged to mark the presence of B3 cargo and notify the ship operator and port authority, so that proper handling can be carried out on the ship,” he said.
Djoko believes the system would better prepare crews for emergencies. Information on the type and characteristics of cargo becomes critical in the event of a spill or any other situation that could endanger the vessel.
Beyond cargo oversight, Djoko emphasised the importance of accurate passenger and vehicle manifests. Data must be integrated and updated in real time so that it reflects the actual situation when a ship departs.
He also called for strengthened inspection of vehicles, including passenger numbers and goods carried. Such data must then be linked to the cargo declaration system to prevent discrepancies between actual conditions and documentation.
According to Djoko, the adoption of the RA system is not intended to replace government regulations or the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code). The system would serve as an additional layer to strengthen safety oversight from the upstream side.
“Adapting the Regulated Agent concept from the aviation sector to sea transport, backed by a commitment to enforcing sanctions and integrating manifest data in real time, is a vital foundation for the transformation of maritime safety,” Djoko concluded.