Back
About RSIS
Introduction
Building the Foundations
Welcome Message
Board of Governors
Staff Profiles
Executive Deputy Chairman’s Office
Dean’s Office
Management
Distinguished Fellows
Faculty and Research
Associate Research Fellows, Senior Analysts and Research Analysts
Visiting Fellows
Adjunct Fellows
Administrative Staff
Honours and Awards for RSIS Staff and Students
RSIS Endowment Fund
Endowed Professorships
Career Opportunities
Getting to RSIS
Research
Research Centres
Centre for Multilateralism Studies (CMS)
Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies (NTS Centre)
Centre of Excellence for National Security
Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS)
International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR)
Research Programmes
National Security Studies Programme (NSSP)
Social Cohesion Research Programme (SCRP)
Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies (SRP) Programme
Other Research
Future Issues and Technology Cluster
Research@RSIS
Science and Technology Studies Programme (STSP) (2017-2020)
Graduate Education
Graduate Programmes Office
Exchange Partners and Programmes
How to Apply
Financial Assistance
Meet the Admissions Team: Information Sessions and other events
RSIS Alumni
Outreach
Global Networks
About Global Networks
RSIS Alumni
Executive Education
About Executive Education
SRP Executive Programme
Terrorism Analyst Training Course (TATC)
International Programmes
About International Programmes
Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior Military Officers (APPSMO)
Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior National Security Officers (APPSNO)
International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS)
International Strategy Forum-Asia (ISF-Asia)
Publications
RSIS Publications
Annual Reviews
Books
Bulletins and Newsletters
RSIS Commentary Series
Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses
Commemorative / Event Reports
Future Issues
IDSS Papers
Interreligious Relations
Monographs
NTS Insight
Policy Reports
Working Papers
External Publications
Authored Books
Journal Articles
Edited Books
Chapters in Edited Books
Policy Reports
Working Papers
Op-Eds
Glossary of Abbreviations
Policy-relevant Articles Given RSIS Award
RSIS Publications for the Year
External Publications for the Year
Media
Cohesive Societies
Sustainable Security
Other Resource Pages
News Releases
Speeches
Video/Audio Channel
External Podcasts
Events
Contact Us
S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies Think Tank and Graduate School Ponder The Improbable Since 1966
Nanyang Technological University Nanyang Technological University
  • About RSIS
      IntroductionBuilding the FoundationsWelcome MessageBoard of GovernorsHonours and Awards for RSIS Staff and StudentsRSIS Endowment FundEndowed ProfessorshipsCareer OpportunitiesGetting to RSIS
      Staff ProfilesExecutive Deputy Chairman’s OfficeDean’s OfficeManagementDistinguished FellowsFaculty and ResearchAssociate Research Fellows, Senior Analysts and Research AnalystsVisiting FellowsAdjunct FellowsAdministrative Staff
  • Research
      Research CentresCentre for Multilateralism Studies (CMS)Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies (NTS Centre)Centre of Excellence for National SecurityInstitute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS)International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR)
      Research ProgrammesNational Security Studies Programme (NSSP)Social Cohesion Research Programme (SCRP)Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies (SRP) Programme
      Other ResearchFuture Issues and Technology ClusterResearch@RSISScience and Technology Studies Programme (STSP) (2017-2020)
  • Graduate Education
      Graduate Programmes OfficeExchange Partners and ProgrammesHow to ApplyFinancial AssistanceMeet the Admissions Team: Information Sessions and other eventsRSIS Alumni
  • Outreach
      Global NetworksAbout Global NetworksRSIS Alumni
      Executive EducationAbout Executive EducationSRP Executive ProgrammeTerrorism Analyst Training Course (TATC)
      International ProgrammesAbout International ProgrammesAsia-Pacific Programme for Senior Military Officers (APPSMO)Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior National Security Officers (APPSNO)International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS)International Strategy Forum-Asia (ISF-Asia)
  • Publications
      RSIS PublicationsAnnual ReviewsBooksBulletins and NewslettersRSIS Commentary SeriesCounter Terrorist Trends and AnalysesCommemorative / Event ReportsFuture IssuesIDSS PapersInterreligious RelationsMonographsNTS InsightPolicy ReportsWorking Papers
      External PublicationsAuthored BooksJournal ArticlesEdited BooksChapters in Edited BooksPolicy ReportsWorking PapersOp-Eds
      Glossary of AbbreviationsPolicy-relevant Articles Given RSIS AwardRSIS Publications for the YearExternal Publications for the Year
  • Media
      Cohesive SocietiesSustainable SecurityOther Resource PagesNews ReleasesSpeechesVideo/Audio ChannelExternal Podcasts
  • Events
  • Contact Us
    • Connect with Us

      rsis.ntu
      rsis_ntu
      rsisntu
      rsisvideocast
      school/rsis-ntu
      rsis.sg
      rsissg
      RSIS
      RSS
      Subscribe to RSIS Publications
      Subscribe to RSIS Events

      Getting to RSIS

      Nanyang Technological University
      Block S4, Level B3,
      50 Nanyang Avenue,
      Singapore 639798

      Click here for direction to RSIS

      Get in Touch

    Connect
    Search
    • RSIS
    • Publication
    • RSIS Publications
    • CO12141 | The Cross-Strait Traffic in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore: An Impediment to Safe Navigation?
    • Annual Reviews
    • Books
    • Bulletins and Newsletters
    • RSIS Commentary Series
    • Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses
    • Commemorative / Event Reports
    • Future Issues
    • IDSS Papers
    • Interreligious Relations
    • Monographs
    • NTS Insight
    • Policy Reports
    • Working Papers

    CO12141 | The Cross-Strait Traffic in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore: An Impediment to Safe Navigation?
    Mohd Hazmi bin Mohd Rusli

    01 August 2012

    download pdf

    Synopsis

    The cross-strait trade activities taking place along the Straits of Malacca and Singapore have encouraged the growth of a number of coastal ports visited mainly by barter boats and vessels criss-crossing the Straits. This cross-strait traffic poses a hazard to safe navigation in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

    Commentary

    Despite the separation of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula when Indonesia and Malaysia gained independence in the 20th century, trade activities are still taking place between various ports located along the length of the Strait of Malacca as well as the Strait of Singapore.

    The cross-strait or coastal shipping in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore has been a controversial issue that has been discussed in various fora of the Tripartite Technical Experts Group (TTEG) of safety of navigation for the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. Cross-strait traffic may pose hazards to the smooth and safe navigation of vessels transiting the Straits. As most cross-strait ships are vessels of less than 300 Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT), it is not compulsory for these ships to follow the safety navigation rules enforced in these waterways.

    Cross-strait traffic in the Strait of Malacca includes barter trade vessels, fishing boats and passenger ferries. A tightly-knit network of trade relations, both formal and informal, spans the waterway. Barter trade activities in the Strait refer to the trade activities between the people who are living on opposite shores of the Strait of Malacca. Most of this cross-strait vessels call at the Malaysian ports of Port Dickson, Malacca, Muar and Kukup, all located at the south-western end of the Malay Peninsula. These ports have connections with various Indonesian ports on the opposite shore, including Pelabuhan Belawan, Tanjung Balai, Dumai and Bengkalis in Sumatra.

    Ferries and barter trade vessels also criss-cross the Strait of Singapore, connecting Indonesian ports of Batam and Tanjung Pinang to coastal ports of Tanah Merah and Pasir Panjang in Singapore as well as the ports of Tanjung Pengelih and Stulang Laut in Malaysia. It has been reported that the regional cross-strait traffic in the Strait of Malacca is decreasing while barter traffic in the Strait of Malacca has decreased from 25, 000 vessels in 2004 to 10, 000 in 2009.

    Even though the barter traffic density in the Strait of Malacca has decreased, the volume of transiting traffic has been on the rise; from 62- 621 transits in 2005 to 74- 133 transits in 2010. Based on the growing demand for oil by the East Asian nations from their Middle Eastern counterparts, the transiting traffic in the Strait of Malacca are predicted to increase by 9% each year. Therefore, the safety of transiting ships in the Strait of Malacca could be compromised by the existence of cross-strait traffic, as most of the cross-strait traffic routes overlap with the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in both the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. High risk areas include Undan Zone, Segenting Zone and Piai Zone, all of which are located at the southern portion of the Strait of Malacca which is busy with cross-strait traffic.

    To date, there have never been any rules established in regulating cross-strait traffic, which is exempted from the Straits of Malacca and Singapore’s mandatory ship reporting system, the STRAITREP rule. In addition, the littoral States of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia have yet to establish a proper cross-strait traffic route within the Straits of Malacca and Singapore as this designation may interfere with the flow of international shipping transiting the Straits. Hence to avoid future accidents, it would assist if the three littoral States of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia could devise solutions to this problem by designating proper lanes for cross-strait traffic in these busy waterways. A proper designation of traffic lanes (TSS for cross-strait traffic) could be established, at least at the initial stage, in the Malaysian and Indonesian sides of the Strait of Malacca, to reduce the risk of accidents in this important shipping lane.

    In enhancing cross-strait traffic safety of navigation, proposals have been put forward to improve communications between barter boats and transiting vessels. This could be realised by equipping vessels with Automatic Identification System (AIS) type-B transponders which would allow them to be tracked by the Vessel Traffic Management System. Suggestions have also been mooted to enhance the sea-worthiness of cross-strait vessels and one of the ways is through the imposition of compulsory insurance for cross-strait boats. Indeed these proposed improvements are essential to assist the littoral States to enhance safety of navigation of vessels plying the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

    Conclusion

    Even though there has never been a major maritime disaster involving a collision between cross-strait traffic and transiting traffic, cross-strait traffic is a hazard that must be considered in improving safety for the navigation of vessels transiting the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. Should a maritime collision take place in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, the effect would be catastrophic both to the economies of the littoral States as well as the well-being of the marine environment of these waterways. It is therefore crucial for the littoral States to come out with viable ways to accommodate safe shipping for both transiting and cross-strait traffic in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

    About the Author

    Mohd Hazmi bin Mohd Rusli, who holds a PhD from the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), University of Wollongong, Australia, is currently a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Syariah & Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia. 

    Categories: RSIS Commentary Series

    Synopsis

    The cross-strait trade activities taking place along the Straits of Malacca and Singapore have encouraged the growth of a number of coastal ports visited mainly by barter boats and vessels criss-crossing the Straits. This cross-strait traffic poses a hazard to safe navigation in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

    Commentary

    Despite the separation of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula when Indonesia and Malaysia gained independence in the 20th century, trade activities are still taking place between various ports located along the length of the Strait of Malacca as well as the Strait of Singapore.

    The cross-strait or coastal shipping in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore has been a controversial issue that has been discussed in various fora of the Tripartite Technical Experts Group (TTEG) of safety of navigation for the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. Cross-strait traffic may pose hazards to the smooth and safe navigation of vessels transiting the Straits. As most cross-strait ships are vessels of less than 300 Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT), it is not compulsory for these ships to follow the safety navigation rules enforced in these waterways.

    Cross-strait traffic in the Strait of Malacca includes barter trade vessels, fishing boats and passenger ferries. A tightly-knit network of trade relations, both formal and informal, spans the waterway. Barter trade activities in the Strait refer to the trade activities between the people who are living on opposite shores of the Strait of Malacca. Most of this cross-strait vessels call at the Malaysian ports of Port Dickson, Malacca, Muar and Kukup, all located at the south-western end of the Malay Peninsula. These ports have connections with various Indonesian ports on the opposite shore, including Pelabuhan Belawan, Tanjung Balai, Dumai and Bengkalis in Sumatra.

    Ferries and barter trade vessels also criss-cross the Strait of Singapore, connecting Indonesian ports of Batam and Tanjung Pinang to coastal ports of Tanah Merah and Pasir Panjang in Singapore as well as the ports of Tanjung Pengelih and Stulang Laut in Malaysia. It has been reported that the regional cross-strait traffic in the Strait of Malacca is decreasing while barter traffic in the Strait of Malacca has decreased from 25, 000 vessels in 2004 to 10, 000 in 2009.

    Even though the barter traffic density in the Strait of Malacca has decreased, the volume of transiting traffic has been on the rise; from 62- 621 transits in 2005 to 74- 133 transits in 2010. Based on the growing demand for oil by the East Asian nations from their Middle Eastern counterparts, the transiting traffic in the Strait of Malacca are predicted to increase by 9% each year. Therefore, the safety of transiting ships in the Strait of Malacca could be compromised by the existence of cross-strait traffic, as most of the cross-strait traffic routes overlap with the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in both the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. High risk areas include Undan Zone, Segenting Zone and Piai Zone, all of which are located at the southern portion of the Strait of Malacca which is busy with cross-strait traffic.

    To date, there have never been any rules established in regulating cross-strait traffic, which is exempted from the Straits of Malacca and Singapore’s mandatory ship reporting system, the STRAITREP rule. In addition, the littoral States of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia have yet to establish a proper cross-strait traffic route within the Straits of Malacca and Singapore as this designation may interfere with the flow of international shipping transiting the Straits. Hence to avoid future accidents, it would assist if the three littoral States of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia could devise solutions to this problem by designating proper lanes for cross-strait traffic in these busy waterways. A proper designation of traffic lanes (TSS for cross-strait traffic) could be established, at least at the initial stage, in the Malaysian and Indonesian sides of the Strait of Malacca, to reduce the risk of accidents in this important shipping lane.

    In enhancing cross-strait traffic safety of navigation, proposals have been put forward to improve communications between barter boats and transiting vessels. This could be realised by equipping vessels with Automatic Identification System (AIS) type-B transponders which would allow them to be tracked by the Vessel Traffic Management System. Suggestions have also been mooted to enhance the sea-worthiness of cross-strait vessels and one of the ways is through the imposition of compulsory insurance for cross-strait boats. Indeed these proposed improvements are essential to assist the littoral States to enhance safety of navigation of vessels plying the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

    Conclusion

    Even though there has never been a major maritime disaster involving a collision between cross-strait traffic and transiting traffic, cross-strait traffic is a hazard that must be considered in improving safety for the navigation of vessels transiting the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. Should a maritime collision take place in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, the effect would be catastrophic both to the economies of the littoral States as well as the well-being of the marine environment of these waterways. It is therefore crucial for the littoral States to come out with viable ways to accommodate safe shipping for both transiting and cross-strait traffic in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

    About the Author

    Mohd Hazmi bin Mohd Rusli, who holds a PhD from the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), University of Wollongong, Australia, is currently a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Syariah & Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia. 

    Categories: RSIS Commentary Series

    Popular Links

    About RSISResearch ProgrammesGraduate EducationPublicationsEventsAdmissionsCareersVideo/Audio ChannelRSIS Intranet

    Connect with Us

    rsis.ntu
    rsis_ntu
    rsisntu
    rsisvideocast
    school/rsis-ntu
    rsis.sg
    rsissg
    RSIS
    RSS
    Subscribe to RSIS Publications
    Subscribe to RSIS Events

    Getting to RSIS

    Nanyang Technological University
    Block S4, Level B3,
    50 Nanyang Avenue,
    Singapore 639798

    Click here for direction to RSIS

    Get in Touch

      Copyright © S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. All rights reserved.
      Privacy Statement / Terms of Use
      Help us improve

        Rate your experience with this website
        123456
        Not satisfiedVery satisfied
        What did you like?
        0/255 characters
        What can be improved?
        0/255 characters
        Your email
        Please enter a valid email.
        Thank you for your feedback.
        This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. By continuing, you are agreeing to the use of cookies on your device as described in our privacy policy. Learn more
        OK
        Latest Book
        more info