The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is releasing the first edition of the Singapore Electronic Tide Tables (ETT) for the year 2000 in CD-ROM for commercial use. This is in addition to the handbook Singapore Tide Tables and Port Information published yearly. Singapore is the among the first in the world to produce an electronic version of tidal predictions. This latest product is part of the MPA's continuing efforts to enhance navigational safety in the port waters and the approaches thereto by making available additional digitised and electronic information for the benefit of the shipping community.

The ETT contains predictions of tidal heights and tidal streams in our port waters and the Singapore Strait. Such information is also captured in the annual Singapore Tide Tables and Port Information Handbook. A special feature of the ETT is the presentation of the tidal height and tidal stream predictions in graphic format which provides better visualisation for users.

Members of the shipping, maritime and pleasure craft community will find the ETT a convenient and easy electronic access to the tidal information. The ETT is retailed at an introductory price of S$9.75 per copy (excluding GST), and is available at the local distributor, Motion Smith.

The ETT is a timely complement given the increasing use of digital navigational aids such as the Singapore Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) for use with Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) (See appendix). Mariners who use ECDIS are now able to access digital tidal predictions using the ETT at the click of a button. This digital edition underscores Singapore's continual effort to promote the use of electronic services.

Response to the ETT from the shipping industry has been positive based on the feedback received by trial users.

The MPA started the production of the ETT in September 1999. An initial print-run of 500 copies is produced.

For future editions of the ETT, the MPA plans to include more enhanced features such as search facilities and to include added information such as more tidal stations than what is currently found in Handbook.

End of Release.