CENTRE FOR OCEAN LAW AND POLICY (OLAP)

Introduction

Established as one of the centres within MIMA in July 1993, OLAP aspires to be Malaysia’s national centre of excellence for ocean law and policy issues. It aims to identify key areas of interest for Malaysia’s multi-disciplinary realm of maritime law and is ready to provide second opinion to the government pertaining to such law’s formulation, interpretation and implementation in furthering the country’s interest in the maritime realm.

In conducting its functions, OLAP reinforces working relationships with private and public sector agencies whilst continuing to foster links with other regional and international organisations such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), International Labour Organisation (ILO) and similar entities.

In tandem with Malaysia’s vision of being a fully developed maritime nation by the year 2020, OLAP undertakes the role of promoting awareness in maritime legal aspects to appropriate stakeholders and the public by conducting appropriate seminars, workshops and conferences.

Past Research Projects

These include: Private Maritime Security Companies (PMS): Options for Malaysia; Insurance Costs in the Strait of Malacca: Options for Malaysia; Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1950: The Need for Revision; Emerging Issues in Marine Leisure Industry in Langkawi and Pulau Payar; Waste Reception Facility under MARPOL 73/78: Update for 2006/2007; Sovereignty Over Disputed Islands Under International Law.

Current Projects

Maritime Manpower Skills and Requirements in Malaysia; Enhancement of Security/Safety of Navigation and Environmental Protection in the South China Sea; Port State Control and Maritime Labour Convention; Techno-Economic Feasibility of Ratifying Maritime Conventions; International Salvage Convention 1989 – Remedy and Assured Incentive for Salvors in Malaysia; Security for non-SOLAS vessels – Impact and Implications; Malaysia’s Extended Continental Shelf Claims; Assessing the need for a Contiguous Zone; Malaysia’s Maritime Limits.

Achievements

OLAP’s research findings would have been a catalyst in:

• Removal of the Strait of Malacca from “List of Perceived Enhanced Risk (Listed Areas)” as declared by the Joint War Committee (JWC) of Lloyds Market Association (LMA), the insurance trade association of Lloyds Underwriters;
• Action towards serious consideration on establishment of an Admiralty Court in Malaysia;
• Measures to be taken in addressing issues affecting human capital in the maritime industry;
• Invited to be a member of Malaysia’s delegation to IMO meetings.

Additionally, OLAP’s continuous dissemination of maritime legal knowledge through seminars, workshops and conferences has triggered considerable interest amongst stakeholders in the country and its Researchers are regularly invited to deliver lectures to their staff.
 

RESEARCHERS