Sri Lanka Retains Current Maritime Traffic Scheme Amidst Global Support, Bolsters Position as Key Indian Ocean Maritime Hub

Sri Lanka’s Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in maritime areas will remain as it is, following a decision backed by a majority vote, according to M.U.M. Ali Sabry PC, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, during a parliamentary session. The proposal to alter the TSS was discussed at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), but the change was rejected with support from countries including Egypt, Algeria, China, India, and Pakistan, with Canada being an exception. The minister emphasized that altering the TSS would have negatively impacted the port operations in Galle and Hambantota, particularly in terms of regional market access.

In August 2018, the IMO assisted Sri Lanka in developing maritime security legislation. This included an inter-agency dialogue with various officials to enhance maritime and port security. This initiative is part of a larger effort by the IMO and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), under the UN Counter Terrorism Implementation Task Force, aimed at bolstering maritime counter-terrorism capabilities in South-East Asia. Sri Lanka was the third country in the region to benefit from these workshops, following the Maldives and Bangladesh.

The IMO, established in 1948 and headquartered in the UK, is a specialized agency of the United Nations focused on the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships. With 175 Member States and three Associate Members, the IMO plays a crucial role in global maritime affairs. Sri Lanka became a member of the IMO in 1972.

Recently, the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka announced the appointment of the country’s first permanent representative to the IMO. This comes as Sri Lanka prepares to assume the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in October, highlighting its strategic position in one of the world’s key shipping lanes and its potential as a significant maritime hub in the Indian Ocean.