The Singapore Strait has sufficient capacity to handle growth in vessel traffic to accommodate a significant increase in maritime trade. This preliminary finding from the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SoMS) capacity study showed that there is still substantial room for vessel traffic growth in the Straits without affecting either efficiency or navigational safety.

This was presented today in a briefing organised by Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) for the shipping industry to share the preliminary findings of a study which it had commissioned. The study assesses the capacity of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, based on 2007 data of actual ship reports and radar information from MPA's Port Operations Control Centre. Using a computer simulation model, the capacity is evaluated based on efficiency and safety of navigation within the Straits. Computer simulation was used because of its greater rigor compared to other alternative traffic modelling models.

"As part of our long-term planning, MPA regularly conducts studies on various maritime issues and trends. In line with this, we felt it was timely to conduct a study of the traffic levels and utilisation, including the potential carriage capacity, of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. A clear and accurate picture of the carriage capacity of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore will allow MPA to work with the littoral States as well as other interested stakeholders to identify strategies to enhance capacity while maintaining navigational safety," said Mr Yee Cheok Hong, MPA's Group Director (Policy and Planning).

Given the projected increase in maritime traffic in the region, the study examined the areas of potential congestion in the SoMS. The second phase of the study will examine possible measures that can enhance the carriage capacity of the Singapore Strait while at the same time maintaining navigational safety.

The Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) that runs along the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, between One Fathom Bank off Port Klang in the west and Horsburgh Lighthouse in the east, measure about 250 nautical miles (463 km). The narrowest points in the TSS, along which international shipping travels through the Straits, lies just south of St John's Island within the Singapore Strait and measures 530 metres westbound, 1617 metres eastbound and 2150 metres overall in width.

An important waterway which is used for international navigation and supports the bulk of the maritime trade between Europe, the Middle East and East Asia, the Singapore Strait saw more than 257,000 vessel movements (transits and arrivals) in 2007. Based on the efficiency and safety indicators, the current traffic level in the Singapore Strait could be increased by at least 75 per cent, assuming the existing processes and operations remain unchanged and there are no advances in technology. The growth of vessel traffic in the SoMS will depend on many factors, including global and regional economic conditions and shipping trends. In the meantime, the capacity of the SoMS can be expected to be further enhanced over time with improved traffic management measures and technological advances.

The preliminary findings were shared with MPA's counterparts in Indonesia and Malaysia at a recent meeting in Singapore earlier this month which was also attended by a number of user States and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In addition, Singapore has offered to work with Malaysia and Indonesia through the Tripartite Technical Experts Group and where appropriate the Co-operative Mechanism, as well as the IMO on further aspects of the Study, in particular, traffic management measures to help ensure that ships can continue to traverse the SoMS efficiently and safely even as traffic grows in the future.

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About the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was established on 2 February 1996, with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime centre (IMC), and to advance and safeguard Singapore's strategic maritime interests. MPA is the driving force behind Singapore's port and maritime development, taking on the roles of Port Authority, Port Regulator, Port Planner, IMC Champion, and National Maritime Representative. MPA partners the industry and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our port waters, facilitate port operations and growth, grow the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and promote maritime R&D and manpower development.