Question

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) whether the plans for Singapore's participation in deep sea mining activities comply with the Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty which Singapore intends to ratify; and (b) if so, how.

Written Answer by Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong

1. Ocean Mineral Singapore Pte Ltd (OMS) has an exploration contract with the International Seabed Authority (ISA). However, the exploration contract does not allow OMS to commence exploitation of the deep seabed yet. Regulations governing exploitation are still being negotiated at the ISA. Any future plans by Singapore companies for deep seabed mining, if and when permitted, will have to be aligned with the BBNJ Treaty. As a member of the ISA Council, Singapore will continue to contribute to developing regulations which ensure that any mining of the deep seabed is done with effective protection of the marine environment.