PORT MARINE CIRCULAR NO. 20 OF 2019 COMPLYING WITH RULES FOR VESSELS NAVIGATING THROUGH THE STRAITS OF MALACCA AND SINGAPORE

MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE

PORT MARINE CIRCULAR

No.20 OF 2019

01 DECEMBER 2019

Shipping Community

COMPLYING WITH RULES FOR VESSELS NAVIGATING THROUGH THE

STRAITS OF MALACCA AND SINGAPORE

1 Vessels navigating in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore are required to

comply with the ‘Rules For Vessels Navigating Through the Straits of Malacca and

Singapore’ adopted by the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Maritime

Safety Committee at its sixty-ninth session in 1998, in accordance with the provision

of Resolution A.858(20).

2 The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore would like to remind all

shipmasters including the Bridge Resource Management team in particular those on

board deep draught vessels (DDVs1) and very large crude carriers (VLCCs2)

transiting in the westbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme and precautionary

areas of the Singapore Strait shall:

a) Allow for an under keel clearance of at least 3.5 metres at all times during

the entire passage through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore

b) As far as it is safe and practicable, proceed at speed of not more than 12

knots over grounds in the westbound lanes between positions 01°12·51’N,

103°52·15’E and 01°11·59’N, 103°50·21’E and between position

01°11·13’N 103°49·08’E and 01°08·65’N, 103°44·30’E. (Between South

of St John’s Island to Raffles Lighthouse)

3 The IMO Circular SN/Cir.198 (see Annex) provides information on the ‘Rules

For Vessels Navigating Through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore’.

CAPT KEVIN WONG

PORT MASTER

MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE

1 A vessel having a draught of 15 metres or more shall be deemed to be a DDV

2 A tanker of 150,000 DWT and above shall be deemed to be a VLCC

ANNEX

ROUTEING MEASURES OTHER THAN TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEMES

1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its sixty-ninth session (11 May to 20 May 1998), adopted in accordance

with the provisions of resolution A.858 (20), the following routeing measures other than traffic separation

schemes, attached hereto:

1.1 Amended rules for vessels navigating through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (Annex 1).

2 The aforementioned routeing measures were implemented at 0000 hours UTC on 1 December 1998.

ANNEX 1

RULES FOR VESSELS NAVIGATING THROUGH THE STRAITS OF MALACCA AND SINGAPORE

I Definitions

For the purpose of these Rules the following definitions shall apply:

1. A vessel having a draught of 15 metres or more shall be deemed to be a deep draught vessel.
2. A tanker of 150,000 DWT and above shall be deemed to be a very large crude carrier (VLCC).

Note: The above definitions do not prejudice the definition of “vessel constrained by her draught” described

in Rule 3 (h) of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972.

II General Provisions

1. Deep draught vessels and VLCCs shall allow for an under keel clearance of at least 3·5 metres at all

times during the entire passage through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore and shall also take all

necessary safety precautions, when navigating through the traffic separation schemes.

1. Masters of deep draught vessels and VLCCs shall have particular regard to navigational constraints

when planning their passage through the Straits.

1. All deep draught vessels and VLCCs navigating within the traffic separation schemes are recommended

to use the pilotage service of the respective countries when they become available.

1. Vessels shall take into account the precautionary areas where crossing traffic may be encountered and

be in a maximum state of manoeuvring readiness in these areas.

III Rules

Rule 1 Eastbound deep draught vessels shall use the designated deep-water routes.

Rule 2 Eastbound deep draught vessels navigating in the deep-water routes in Phillip Channel and

Singapore Strait shall as far as practicable, avoid overtaking.

Rule 3 All vessels navigating within the traffic separation scheme shall proceed in the appropriate

traffic lane in the general direction of traffic flow for that lane and maintain as steady a course

as possible, consistent with safe navigation.

Rule 4 All vessels having defects affecting operational safety shall take appropriate measures to

overcome these defects before entering the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

Rule 5 In the event of an emergency or breakdown of a vessel in the traffic lane, the vessel shall, as

far as practicable and safe, leave the lane by pulling out to the starboard side.

Rule 6 (a) Vessels proceeding in the westbound lane of the traffic separation scheme “In the

Singapore Strait” when approaching Raffles Lighthouse shall proceed with caution, taking note

of the local warning system, and, compliance with Rule 18(d) of the International Regulations

for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel

constrained by her draught which is exhibiting the signals required by Rule 28 and which is

obliged to cross the westbound lane of the scheme in order to approach the single point

mooring facility (in approximate position 01°11·42’N, 103°47·40’E, from Phillip Channel).

(b) Vessels proceeding in the traffic separation schemes when approaching any of the

precautionary areas shall proceed with caution, taking note of the local warning system, and,

in compliance with Rule 18 (d) of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea,

1972, avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draught which is

exhibiting the signals required by Rule 28 and which is obliged to cross that precautionary

area.

(c) Information relating to the movement of ships constrained by their draught as referred to in

paragraphs (a) and (b) above will be given by radio broadcasts. The particulars of such

broadcasts are promulgated by Notices to Mariners. All vessels navigating in the area of the

traffic separation scheme should monitor these radio broadcasts and take account of the

information received.

Rule 7 VLCCs and deep draught vessels navigating in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore shall as

far as it is safe and practicable, proceed at a speed of not more than 12 knots over the ground

in the following areas:

a) At One Fathom Bank traffic separation scheme ;

b) Deep-water routes in the Phillip Channel and in Singapore Strait; and

c) Westbound lanes between positions 01°12·51’N, 103°52·15’E and 01°11·59’N,

103°50·21’E and between position 01°11·13’N 103°49·08’E and 01°08·65’N,

103°44·30’E.

Rule 8 All vessels navigating in the routeing system of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore shall

maintain at all times a safe speed consistent with safe navigation, shall proceed with caution,

and shall be in a maximum state of manoeuvring readiness.

Rule 9 (a) Vessels which are fitted with VHF radio communication are to participate in the ship

reporting system adopted by the Organization.

(b) VLCCs and deep draught vessels navigating in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore are

advised to broadcast, eight hours before entering the traffic separation schemes, navigational

information giving name, deadweight tonnage, draught, speed and times of passing One

Fathom Bank Lighthouse, Raffles Lighthouse and Horsburgh Lighthouse. Difficult and

unwieldy tows are also advised to broadcast similar information.

Rule 10 All vessels navigating in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore are requested to report by radio

to the nearest shore authority any damage to or malfunction of the aids to navigation in the

Straits, or any aids out of position in the Straits.

Rule 11 Flag States, owners and operators should ensure that their vessels are adequately equipped

in accordance with the appropriate international conventions/recommendations.

IV Warning

Mariners are warned that local traffic could be unaware of the internationally agreed regulations and practices of

seafarers and may be encountered in or near the traffic separation schemes, and should take any precautions

which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen or by the special circumstances of the case.

Source: SN/Circ. 198 dated 26 May 1998

Note: The coordinates in WGS 84 Datum were inserted by Hydrographic Department, MPA.