The safety of ferry services between Singapore and the Indonesian islands of Batam, Bintan and Karimun has been given a further boost today, with the launch of the Barelang (Batam-Rempang-Galang) - Singapore Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs). The Jawatan Hidro-Oseanografi (JANHIDROS) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will jointly administrate the ENCs, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed today at the Planet Holiday Hotel, Batam, Indonesia.

A Shared Vision for Navigational Safety

About sixty passenger ferries ply between Singapore and the Indonesian islands of Batam, Bintan and Karimun everyday. These are High Speed Craft (HSC) that have to cut across the busy shipping lanes of the Singapore Strait to reach their destinations. To further enhance navigational safety for these craft, as well as for ships transiting the Strait, JANHIDROS and MPA began as early as 2001 to promote the use of ENCs and the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) on these ferries.
The close collaboration between the two organisations resulted in the joint production and successful sea trial of the Barelang-Singapore ENCs, which cover the key ferry routes as well as terminals in Riau and Singapore.
Mr Harijogi, Director General of Sea Communication of the Republic Indonesia, said, "The availability of Barelang-Singapore ENCs will enhance the smoothness of maritime traffic flow in the Singapore Strait. The ENCs also support the IMO's effort for mandatory carriage of ECDIS. The ferry services as well as international shipping using the Strait will benefit from this initiative."
BG(NS) Tay Lim Heng, Chief Executive of MPA, added, "The Singapore Strait is a busy waterway and traversing it can sometimes be a challenge. The Barelang-Singapore ENCs will enhance navigational safety in these waters. The launch of the ENCs marks yet another milestone in the close and long standing maritime partnership between Singapore and Indonesia, as we work together to fulfill our shared vision for the overall safety of navigation in the Malacca and Singapore Straits".

Meeting International Standards

The launch of the Barelang-Singapore ENCs is also timely. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has mandated the carriage of ECDIS and ENCs on High Speed Craft from 1 July 2008 onwards for all newbuilds, and from 1 July 2010 onwards for existing crafts. With the relevant ENCs already available, ferry operators and masters of the ferry services between Riau and Singapore will have ample time to familiarise themselves ahead of the deadline and benefit from the use of ECDIS and ENCs.

MOU between MPA and Indonesia

The MOU was signed by RADM Wilem Rampangilei and Mr Parry Oei, the Chief Hydrographers of JANHIDROS and MPA, respectively. Under the MOU, the MPA and JANHIDROS may appoint vendors to distribute the ENCs, and will be responsible for updating the respective ENC data. Commenting on the initiative, RADM Willem Rampangilei, said, "The Indonesian waters are covered by more than 524 paper nautical charts. The Barelang ENCs were converted from some of these nautical charts. With the ENCs, the ferries and other high speed craft can now carry out their operations more effectively. In addition, JANHIDROS has plans to develop Indonesian ENCs covering 18 major ports and their shipping routes, as well as the Archipelagic Sea Lanes, this year."
End of release.

Attached:

Barelang Charlet