Keeping the Straits safe

The Straits of Malacca is one of the world?s busiest waterways. Not surprisingly, therefore, the issue of navigational safety through the Straits remains a hot topic. A major subject of discussion today is just who should pay to ensure that it remains a safe passage for the 60,000 ships that sail through its waters each year.

While the coastal states of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia clearly have a role to play in maintaining the safety of the Straits, user states also have a responsibility. That is the contention of Japanese charitable organisation Nippon Foundation, which has contributed over S$200 million ($115 million) to the provision of navigational safety in the Malacca Straits over the past 33 years.

Says Nippon Foundation chairwoman Ayoko Sono: “Many countries use the Straits ? the Philippines, China, Japan and Korea. If they use this passage economically, it must be because it?s safe. Japan pays much [to ensure the safety of the Straits] because our vessels use the Straits.”

She noted that 80% of Japan?s oil trade passes through the Straits of Malacca. But just as Japan is doing its part, other countries too need to pitch in.

Says Sono: “Other users too must pay in proportion to their usage.” She was speaking to reporters onboard the buoy tender Pedoman, which was in the midst of replacing the beacon at Tanjong Piai.

The light beacon marks the start of the Traffic Separation Scheme on the Straits of Malacca. Pedoman?s mission that day was to replace the old, discoloured battered buoy with a new bright yellow one. Each year, the Pedoman completes a full circle of the Malaysian waters ? repairing and maintaining the numerous navigational aids on both coasts of the peninsula.

The Pedoman represents one of the many initiatives that the Nippon Foundation is undertaking with the littoral states of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore to promote the navigational safety of the Straits. The S$11.2 million cost of the new vessel was entirely underwritten by the Foundation and donated by the Malacca Strait Council.

It replaces an older one given 26 years ago and was delivered in May this year. The new Pedoman, which now belongs to Malaysian Marine Department, has a service speed of 10.5 knots and is manned by a crew of 24. The first Pedoman, launched in 1977, was one of Japan?s earliest contributions to safety in the Strait.

The Nippon Foundation has also funded another buoy tender, the Pari, which was given to Indonesia over 20 years ago. A similar replacement vessel is likely to be built for the country?s Ministry of Communication.

Apart from navigational safety, another major issue surrounding the Straits of Malacca is piracy. According to the International Maritime Bureau, the Straits was the scene of nine actual and attempted pirate attacks in the first half of this year. While total attacks have dropped from 14 in the first half of last year, the number of actual attacks had increased from four to seven. While only one ship was hijacked in the first half of last year, pirates have shanghaied six so far this year.

The IMB has advised ships to avoid anchoring along the Indonesian coast of the Straits unless required for urgent operational reasons. It added that the coast near Aceh is particularly risky for hijackings and kidnappings for ransom.

To address piracy in the Straits, the Indonesian and Malaysian Marine Police have launched a coordinated patrolling programme. Two boats from each police force patrol the Straits on a prepared schedule to ensure a continuous presence of marine police in the waters.

At the same time, the Malaysian Marine Police is building an extensive information network to curb piracy and armed robbery in the Malacca Straits and regional waters.

Its commander Muhammad Muda said in the IMB report: “Such intelligence would become the key to identifying pirate gangs and bases and crippling their operations. We are focusing on boosting our links and networking with our Indonesian and Singapore counterparts to have a constant flow of information. We will know who they are and this will result in them being more fearful.”