PORT MARINE CIRCULAR NO. 07 OF 2026 - VESSELS NAVIGATING UNDER THE RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM (RTS) LINK BRIDGE AT WOODLANDS
MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
PORT MARINE CIRCULAR
NO. 07 of 2026
28 July 2026
Shipping Community
Harbour Craft Community
Pleasure Craft Community
VESSELS NAVIGATING UNDER THE RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM (RTS) LINK
BRIDGE AT WOODLANDS
- The RTS linking Johor and Singapore in the East Johor Strait is completed. A
navigational channel within Singapore Port Limits (Singapore Channel) has been
designated. It is 75 metres wide, located between Pier 48 and Pier 49, and marked with
Marine Aids to Navigation (AtoNs). The height of the bridge over this channel is 25
metres above Mean High-Water Spring (MHWS). A bridge elevation is shown in
Appendix 1.
- Pursuant to regulation 29A of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Port)
Regulations ("Port Regulations"), with effect from 1 August 2026 (0000 hours), vessels
whose height1 exceeds 23 metres or whose beam exceeds 15 metres are not permitted
to transit under the RTS Link Bridge via the Singapore Channel. The transit
requirements are set out in Appendix 2.
- Vessels transiting under the RTS Link Bridge via the Singapore Channel shall
comply with the passage timings in Appendix 3 and obtain channel clearance from
Sembawang Control on VHF Channel 21.
- Marine AtoNs (Mounted on the outer face of the viaduct’s parapet wall) and
signage fitted on the Singapore side of the RTS Link Bridge are as set out in Appendix
4.
Charts and Publications
- For corrections to nautical charts and publications, mariners are advised to refer
to the latest monthly Singaporean Notices to Mariners, which will be available at
https://www.mpa.gov.sg.
- Please contact Port Operation Control Centre at DID +65 6325 2493 / +65 6325
2494 or Email to pocc@mpa.gov.sg, for any further clarifications.
1 The height of vessel referred to in this circular is the height of the vessel measured vertically from the waterline
of the vessel to the highest point of the vessel, including its cargo, structure or equipment on board.
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CAPT CHONG JIA CHYUAN
PORT MASTER
MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
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Appendix 1
Malaysia Singapore
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Appendix 2
VESSEL SIZE RESTRICTIONS AND TRANSIT REQUIREMENTS
- Pursuant to regulation 29A of the Port Regulations, with effect from 1 August
2026 (0000 hours), no person may cause or permit a vessel to pass under the RTS
Link Bridge except in accordance with the conditions set out in the Fifth Schedule of
the Port Regulations, as reproduced below:
Name of Bridge Max. Max. Part of Bridge Other Restrictions
Height of Beam of Where Vessel
Vessel in Vessel in May Pass
metres metres Under
Rapid Transit 23 15 Between Piers (1) Vessel to pass under
System (RTS) 48 and 49, as bridge only during such
Link Bridge at marked with aids times as may be
Woodlands to navigation specified by the Port
Master;
(2) Any other restrictions
as may be necessary
for safe navigation that
may be specified by the
Port Master.
- Passage through the Singapore Channel and under the RTS Link Bridge is
strictly limited to vessels with a height of 23 metres or less and a beam of 15 metres or
less.
- Vessels intending to transit under the RTS Link Bridge must, before doing so,
call Sembawang Control on VHF Channel 21 to seek channel clearance. When doing
so, the vessel shall provide Sembawang Control with all of the following information:
(a) name of vessel;
(b) height;
(c) beam;
(d) whether vessel is under tow;
(e) current location; and
(f) intended location.
- If channel clearance is granted, the Master of the vessel shall comply with all of
the following conditions:
(a) the vessel shall approach and proceed under the RTS Link Bridge at a safe
speed not exceeding 8 knots, consistent with safe navigation; and
(b) where the vessel is under tow, the Master of the vessel shall ensure that at least
two suitable tugs are in attendance.
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Appendix 3
TIMINGS FOR WESTBOUND AND EASTBOUND PASSAGE IN
NAVIGATION CHANNEL
Every vessel transiting under the bridge shall only do so according to the times
given below:
WESTBOUND EASTBOUND
VESSEL VESSEL
0000 - 0020 0030 - 0050
0100 - 0120 0130 - 0150
0200 - 0220 0230 - 0250
0300 - 0320 0330 - 0350
0400 - 0420 0430 - 0450
0500 - 0520 0530 - 0550
0600 - 0620 0630 - 0650
0700 - 0720 0730 - 0750
0800 - 0820 0830 - 0850
0900 - 0920 0930 - 0950
1000 - 1020 1030 - 1050
1100 - 1120 1130 - 1150
1200 - 1220 1230 - 1250
1300 - 1320 1330 - 1350
1400 - 1420 1430 - 1450
1500 - 1520 1530 - 1550
1600 - 1620 1630 - 1650
1700 - 1720 1730 - 1750
1800 - 1820 1830 - 1850
1900 - 1920 1930 - 1950
2000 - 2020 2030 - 2050
2100 - 2120 2130 - 2150
2200 - 2220 2230 - 2250
2300 - 2320 2330 - 2350
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Appendix 4
a) Marine AtoNs (Mounted on the outer face of the viaduct’s parapet wall)
Light character Flashing Green or Red Lights with specific light
characters, (FL G 2s (Sync) or FL R 2s (Sync))
Nominal Range 3 nautical miles
(b) Signage
• To starboard: a panel showing a solid green equilateral triangle point
upwards,
• To port: a panel showing a solid red square,
• Best point of passage: a panel showing a circle with white and red
vertical
Other Lights and Signage
(a) Fixed Pier Perimeter lights (Around fenders of Piers 48 (4 nos.)
and 49 (6 nos.)) to mark the footing of the piers.
(b) Signage Board: The height restriction signage board will be mounted
on the outer face of the viaduct’s parapet wall: “Air Draught Clearance
23 Metres Above Mean High-Water Spring (MHWS)
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