AS the busiest port in the world, navigational safety is a priority for the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore. And the local maritime industry is progressive and at the forefront of technology.
'The accurate charting of our waters and the timely distribution of updated hydrographic information enables ships to navigate safely in our busy waterways,' says chief hydrographer Parry Oei. 'This allows our port operations to continue smoothly, efficiently and speedily, with minimal disruption.'
To ensure maximum navigational safety, MPA's Hydrographic Department has turned to cutting-edge technology. For example, the new Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) is a navigational tool that works with real-time positioning systems to provide ships with accurate and updated information on their location.
Used with the Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC), ECDIS is also able to warn ships of potential hazards such as groundings, and help prepare voyage plans.
Singapore's port waters and approaches are clearly marked by five lighthouses and several hundred beacons, navigational buoys and mooring buoys. An integrated personal computer-based monitoring system monitors the lights in the lighthouses and alerts MPA when they are faulty or not functioning.
To further enhance navigational safety, a reference station has been installed to broadcast Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) signals on medium frequency. The free DGPS service covers Singapore's port waters and approaches, providing mariners with positioning accuracy of better than five metres.
MPA also disseminates Maritime Safety Information (MSI) through the VHF, NAVTEX and SafetyNET systems. The broadcasts provide navigational warnings, weather bulletins and other information to ships in the region. This enables the automatic communication of information between Singapore's Port Operations Control Centres and ships at sea, as well as between ships. Five AIS transponder base stations have been installed in Singapore.
With the help of state-of-the art hardware, MPA also works closely with littoral states and the international maritime community to maintain navigational safety in Singapore and the Straits of Malacca.
While technology is key to maintaining navigational safety, MPA is also working with the international maritime community, particularly the neighbouring states of Malaysia and Indonesia, to enhance safety in the region. On this front, a breakthrough vehicle is the Cooperative Mechanism for the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, launched last year. The ground-breaking initiative serves as an institutionalised platform for continuing dialogue between the coastal states - Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore - and users and stakeholders of the Straits, as well as a framework for concrete cooperation with the international maritime community. It enables them to work closely to enhance navigational safety and environmental protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.
The Cooperative Mechanism was conceived by the three littoral states following a number of IMO events on safety, security and environmental protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore from 2005 to 2007. It comprises three components: a cooperation forum, a project coordination committee and an Aids-to-Navigation Fund.
The mechanism allows stakeholders to voluntarily contribute to the efforts of the littoral states with respect for their sovereignty. One of the key stakeholders, Japan through the Nippon Foundation's representative office in Asia, the Nippon Maritime Centre, has taken the initiative by contributing US$1.4 million to the Aids-to-Navigation Fund, which provides funds for the maintenance and replacement of the 51 principle aids to navigation in the Straits.
With more and more traffic passing through the Straits and the need to provide safe navigation through them, the burden on littoral states keeps rising. The fund is aimed at sharing this burden among the various stakeholders.
But after taking the initiative with its initial contribution, the Nippon Foundation has found it difficult to get similar contributions from other stakeholders, such as the international shipping community. 'This has never been achieved and thus it will be a historical breakthrough if it is achieved,' the foundation says.
According to chief hydrograher Dr Oei: 'The Cooperative Mechanism enables users of the Straits to exchange views on a regular basis, jointly undertake projects and even make direct monetary contributions to the Aids to Navigation Fund.
'Projects include establishing a tide, current and wind measurement system for the Straits, co-operation and capacity building - to respond to incidents involving hazardous and noxious substances - and replacing aids to navigation along the Sumatra coast, which were destroyed as a result of the tsunami in 2004.'
This article was first published in The Business Times on October 17, 2008.
