S'pore tells UN freedom of passage in international waterways is 'a right', not 'privilege'

The freedom of navigation through international waterways is a right under international law, and not a privilege that can be bargained or paid for, Singapore said at the United Nations (UN) on Apr. 27.

This comes as the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery which normally carries roughly one-fifth of the world's oil shipments, has remained largely closed since war broke out in Iran, following the US-Israeli strikes on the country on Feb. 28.

Stakes "not theoretical"

Addressing a high-level UN debate on the safety and protection of international waterways, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim warned that the erosion of international law in any one region carries dangerous consequences for the rest of the world.

"The stakes are not theoretical," he said.

Zhulkarnain noted that the Straits of Malacca and Singapore now carries around 23.2 million barrels of oil per day, surpassing the 20.9 million barrels that previously flowed through the Strait of Hormuz daily.

He added that at its narrowest point, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore spans just two nautical miles, making the upholding of transit passage rights critical to uninterrupted global navigation.

"If the right of transit passage is not upheld, international navigation in the Straits could be completely disrupted."

For both Singapore and the world, the transit passage regime under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is far from an abstract legal concept, said Zhulkarnain.

Instead, he described it as a matter with direct and tangible implications for global economic security and international stability.

He also pointed to existing cooperation between Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia as a model of how neighbouring states can work together in good faith to manage shared waterways in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS.

"It is clear that we all stand to benefit from the safety and protection of critical waterways. We must work together to this end, and there are opportunities to do so," he said.

Zhulkarnain added that Singapore would continue to support international efforts to "uphold a free and open Strait of Hormuz", assist the shipping industry and safeguard the welfare of seafarers worldwide.

"Ultimately, we hope for a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East which will bring lasting peace and stability to our global commons," he said.