KUCHING, 18 September 2025 – The Sarawak Maritime Day (SMARD) 2025 was held at The Waterfront Hotel, organised by the Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS) in collaboration with the Sarawak Region Marine Department and the Sarawak Buoys and Lights Board (SBLB), bringing together distinguished speakers, industry leaders, academicians and maritime stakeholders.

The Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB), led by the Controller, Lt. Col. Ding Tiew Wong (Retired), together with officers and staff of various ranks took part in supporting and contributing to the success of the event by participating in the event and the exhibition booth. SRB participated alongside the Sarawak Region Marine Department, the Sarawak Buoys and Lights Board (SBLB), SARACHEM, and the Sarawak Maritime Academy (SMA), with each organisation demonstrating its commitment by introducing their respective roles and responsibilities, highlighting aspects of navigation safety, and showcasing products mainly related to the maritime sector.

The programme commenced with an inspiring address by YB Dato Henry Harry Jinep, Deputy Minister for Transport II, and a keynote by Prof. Dr. Martinez Gutierrez, Director of the IMO International Maritime Law Institute, Malta. The forums featured sessions on Maritime Human Capital Capacity-Building for Sustainable Growth, Safety Navigation in the Era of Digital Shipping, and Navigating Liability and Claims in a Complex Maritime Economy, enriched by panel arguments, discussions, and knowledge exchanges.

The event concluded with the official launching of Sarawak Maritime Day 2025 by YB Dato’ Sri Lee Kim Shin, Minister of Transport Sarawak, followed by a plaque presentation to panelists and a photo session. The sessions offered valuable insights, promoted knowledge-sharing, and strengthened networks among maritime stakeholders, establishing a strong foundation for sustainable and safe maritime development in Sarawak and beyond.