ICS addresses Malacca Straits problems
(Oct 21 2011)
Navigation safety and environmental protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore could further improve, the ICS said.
This statement follows a detailed investigation into accident reports undertaken by the ICS.
ICS (as part of a wider initiative being undertaken by the Round Table of international shipping associations) has conducted a survey of incident reports, which it is anticipated will result in the development of agreed proposals to enhance the management of traffic in the Straits.
With more than 70,000 vessels each year (over 150 a day) transiting this strategically important international waterway, ICS believes it is imperative that safety continues to be prioritised.
While only a very small proportion of these transits result in accidents or near misses, the ICS survey has identified heavy shipping traffic, inappropriate speed and the loss of situational awareness, as significant factors that need to be addressed.
ICS suggested that improvements could be made to the location of pilot boarding areas and the timing of pilot departures. There is also concern about the understanding and use of navigation systems, such as ECDIS, AIS and radar, both at sea and ashore.
Of the incidents examined, 68% resulted in collisions and all could have potentially caused harm or pollution incidents. The incidents involved a range of vessels from tugs to tankers.
The report recommended the littoral States consider how to address:
* Speed management in the Singapore Straits.
* Heavy traffic around pilot boarding areas.
* Optimum pilot departure times.
* Improved VTS/VTIS interaction with shipping.
* Situational awareness.
* Pilot, tug, berth availability integration.
ICS met with the littoral states of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, in Kuala Lumpur last week, to present the report's findings.
ICS' director marine, John Murray said: "The littoral States welcomed the report and we were pleased to hear that measures are already being taken to further improve navigational services in the Straits.
"Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to forward additional accident reports to further enhance the ICS study's findings, particularly in relation to the Malacca Straits. Singapore will be sending information on measures it has already taken to improve navigational services in relation to the Singapore Straits, which ICS will review by conducting a gap analysis in order to identify remaining safety proposals," he explained.
In conjunction with ICS, it is anticipated that the littoral States will make a joint submission to IMO's navigation sub-committee in July next year, advising of the accident survey and its current status.
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