Safe passage of Straits of Singapore and Malacca

A pamphlet entitled Safe Passage: The Straits of Singapore and Malacca was recently launched at the 93rd session of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee meeting in London. This Safe Passage pamphlet is the result of an initiative pursued within the Cooperative Mechanism, a framework established in 2007 in which the littoral states of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore and users of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) pool their respective resources and expertise in an effort to enhance navigational safety and protection of the marine environment in the SOMS.

SOMS is a vital sea line of communication, much used by ships voyaging from West to East. Safe navigation and the prevention of collision are crucial in such a busy strait used for international navigation. The avoidance of collisions and other accidents also ensures that the marine environment in the SOMS is better protected.

This Safe Passage pamphlet was first proposed by international shipping association BIMCO in 2012. It is intended to be a handy tool for users of the Straits regarding unique navigational considerations and the importance of adhering to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs).

This Safe Passage pamphlet presents useful digests on collision prevention measures, night signals for vessels crossing the Traffic Separation Scheme in the Singapore Strait, local rules for ships transiting the Straits, advice on anchoring and climactic effects on navigation such as haze conditions and heavy rain.

This Safe Passage pamphlet is attached and is also available, as a PDF download, from the Cooperative Mechanism website.

Users of the Straits are encouraged to obtain a copy.