Sea traffic unaffected by closure of Aceh waters

Rendi A. Witular and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Shipping players said the recent move from the martial law administrator in Aceh to close Aceh waters to foreign ships would not affect the overall cargo shipping routes through Malacca strait.

Deputy chairman of the Indonesian Ship Owners Association (INSA) Widihardja Tanudjaja told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday the closure would only target foreign ships unregistered with the Indonesian ports.

"The policy will not disturb the sea traffic in Malacca Strait, as the government only looks for foreign ships that trespassed into Aceh's 12 nautical mile territorial waters and those without adequate shipping documents," said Widihardja.

Widihardja, who is also the president of PT Berlian Laju Tanker shipping company, added that ships passing the international route along Malacca Strait were not subject to war- risk insurance since the international shipping committees had not yet listed Aceh as a war zone area.

The strait also abuts the neighboring Malaysia and Singapore territories.

On Tuesday, an oil tanker flying a Panamanian flag was intercepted at Sabang port on Weh Island following the restriction.

More than 300 cargo vessels every day pass the 621-mile long strait which connects the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

The strait is the shortest sea route between three of the world's most populous countries -- India, China and Indonesia -- and therefore is considered the key checkpoint in Asia.

The martial law administrator closed Aceh waters apparently to prevent arms smuggling for the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels from Thailand and Malaysia.

Foreign vessels are subject to shooting should they enter the restricted zone without proper permits, and those with permits are also subject to inspection.

The military authorities have ensured that ships belonging to foreign companies operating in Aceh will be exempted from the new policy.

However, it was not immediately clear whether the closure will encroach the international passage Indonesia has to provide according the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

According to the convention, Indonesia enjoys a special treatment as an archipelagic state. The status allows the country to determine its sea territory which is drawn 12 nautical miles from the outermost coastlines of the country.

In return for the special calculation, Indonesia must provide international passage for foreign vessels.

To support the martial law administrator's policy, the Indonesian government will issue a Notice of Marine to restrict foreign ships from Indonesian waters around Aceh.

Minister of Transportation Agum Gumelar said on Wednesday that his ministry, the authorized institution to issue the notice, would help make the military operation a success.

Agum was visiting the Aceh capital of Banda Aceh to deliver humanitarian aid for Aceh people, who are facing shortage of staple food supply as the armed conflict intensifies.