Passage Planning Guide – Straits of Malacca & Singapore (SOMS) (2026-27)

This publication provides passage planning guidance for Masters and navigating officers when transiting the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

The guidance applies in either direction through the Straits between One Fathom Bank (OFB) and Horsburgh and includes an overview of the navigational references for each leg of the route. It is suitable for all classes of ship.

This new edition has been fully revised to incorporate the latest guidance and practical advice for ships transiting the region, with reference to high vigilance areas, Straits Pilot Services, TSS and VTS information.

This Guide summarises essential passage planning practice, including elements local to the Straits, to help navigating officers compile an effective passage plan. It includes practical guidance for the transit, with reference to manning levels, traffic, tugs, pilotage, anchorages, tidal streams, communications, etc.

Annotated chartlets, featuring satellite imagery, are provided for each leg of the transit, illustrating aids to navigation and potential hazards to shipping. The chartlets are supported by guidance notes containing further navigational and safety information.

The Guide illustrates areas where high vigilance is required and lists the pre-emptive measures that should be taken by the ship. Also included are a number of case studies that examine the causes of various groundings and collisions in the Straits.

In preparation for this new edition, Witherbys have worked in consultation with Straits Pilots, harbour pilots, port authorities, local navigation superintendents and shipmasters transiting the Straits.

This edition has been reformatted as A4 hardback. For ease of reference, the chartlets now include the associated information alongside them, such as details of pilot boarding grounds and reporting procedures for each leg of the transit. The High Vigilance Area chartlets are now presented in a larger format with the associated guidance incorporated.

This edition includes a handy bookmark with QR codes linking to useful PDF downloads, such as Port Marine Circulars.

Information is also taken from appropriate nautical publications and from:

• Rules for Vessels Navigating through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore
• STRAITREP – Mandatory Reporting Procedures
• Port Marine Circulars (Singapore)
• IMO assembly resolutions.

Preface

Acknowledgements

Notices

List of Abbreviations

Note on Spellings

PART 1 Background and Supporting Notes to the Guide

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Master?s Guidance for Arriving Ships (Notification and Papers)

1.3 Current Status of Port Development

1.4 Under Keel Clearance (UKC)

1.4.1 3.5 m UKC Rule Throughout the SOMS

1.4.2 Background to the 3.5 m UKC Value for the SOMS

1.4.3 Background to the 4.0 m Recommended UKC at Eastern Bank

1.4.4 UKC Requirement for the SOMS and Eastern Bank

1.4.5 Graph of Predicted Squat for Large Ships

1.5 Key Depths Eastbound and Westbound

1.5.1 Key Depths - Eastbound ('Controlling Depths' and 'Spot Depths')

1.5.2 Key Depths - Eastbound (Chart Overview)

1.5.3 UKC Considerations when Planning a Transit over 'Eastern Bank'

1.5.4 Westbound Deep Draught Vessels (Key Depths)

1.5.5 Sandwaves

1.5.6 Key Depths - Westbound (Chart Overview)

1.6 Ship Traffic Management Systems in the SOMS

1.6.1 'Just in Time' Platform

1.6.2 STRAITREP - Mandatory Reporting Procedures

1.6.3 Reporting Requirements for Vessels Calling at Singapore

1.7 Passage Planning

1.7.1 Error Management

1.7.2 Preparations for Planning

1.7.3 Preparing the Plan

1.7.4 Preparing ECDIS

1.7.5 SOMS Pre-Entry Bridge Team Meeting

1.7.6 Video Brief of East and West Passages in the SOMS

1.7.7 Charts and Nautical Publications

1.8 Practical Guidance for the Transit

1.8.1 Bridge Manning Levels

1.8.2 Engine Room Manning Levels

1.8.3 Use of Engines

1.8.4 Speed of VLCCs and Deep Draught Vessels

1.8.5 Monitoring the Passage Plan

1.8.6 Traffic

1.8.6.1 Fishing Vessels

1.8.6.2 Ferries

1.8.6.3 Tugs and Tows

1.8.6.4 Deep Draught Vessels

1.8.6.5 Container Vessels

1.8.6.6 Reclamation or 'Mosquito' Barges

1.8.7 Pilot Boarding Grounds in the Port of Singapore

1.8.7.1 Calling 'Singapore Pilots' for Ships Arriving at Singapore

1.8.7.2 Pilot Boats

1.8.7.3 Pilot Resources

1.8.7.4 Pilot Transfer Arrangements

1.8.8 Voluntary Pilotage Services (VPS) - Straits of Malacca and Singapore

1.8.9 Deep Draught Vessel - Transit Details Broadcast via NAVTEX

1.8.10 Storing in Transit

1.8.11 Bunkers

1.8.12 AIS

1.8.13 VHF Communication and Collision Avoidance

1.8.14 Example Tidal Window Calculation

1.8.15 Currents and Tidal Streams

1.8.16 Batu Berhanti and Tidal Streams in that Area

1.8.17 Advice when Navigating in the Vicinity of Batu Berhanti

1.8.18 Tidal Streams in the Vicinity of Batu Berhanti

1.8.19 Aids to Navigation

1.8.20 Crossing the TSS and Precautionary Areas During Hours of Darkness

1.9 Weather (Monsoon Seasons and Haze)

1.10 Security: Piracy and Armed Robbery

1.11 Singapore Anchorages

1.11.1 Detentions of Ships Anchoring OPL in Indonesian and Malaysian Waters

PART 2 Case Studies: Groundings, Collisions and High Vigilance Areas (Case Studies)

2.1 Grounding and Collision Statistics

2.2 Areas of Highest Potential for Risk of Collision

2.3 Causes of Collisions in the SOMS

2.4 Grounding and Collision Case Studies

2.5 High Vigilance Areas (HVAs)

2.5.1 Introduction to HVAs in the SOMS

2.6 High Vigilance Areas (HVAs) - Eastbound

2.6.1 Eastbound Crossing Precautionary Area to Western Boarding Ground 'A' (PWBGA)

2.6.2 Eastbound Turning in Towards Eastern Boarding Ground 'A' (PEBGA)

2.6.3 Eastbound to Eastern Boarding Ground 'B' (PEBGB)

2.7 High Vigilance Areas (HVAs) - Westbound

2.7.1 Westbound - Transiting the TSS South of Tanjung Ayam

2.7.2 Westbound to Eastern Boarding Ground 'C' (PEBGC)

2.7.3 Westbound in Vicinity of Eastern Boarding Ground 'A' (PEBGA)

2.7.4 Westbound Transit in the Vicinity of Southern Boarding Ground (PSBG)

2.7.5 Westbound Transit in the Vicinity of North Nipa Bn

2.7.6 Westbound - Mudah Selatan

PART 3 Passage Notes

3.1 Eastbound Passage Notes - Malacca Strait and Singapore Straits

3.2 Westbound Passage Notes - Singapore Straits and Malacca Strait

PART 4 Annexes

Annex 1 - Guidance Notes Prior to the Pre-Entry Bridge Team Meeting

Annex 2 - Rules for Vessels Navigating through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore

Annex 3 - Singapore LNG Terminal (Jurong Island)

Annex 4 - Tidal Streams in the Vicinity of Batu Berhanti