Malacca and Singapore Straits, navigation, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia Home Publications Articles WARNING - Navigating Malacca and Singapore Straits WARNING - Navigating Malacca and Singapore Straits Publications Nahush Paranjpye Published: July 17, 2020 Contact author Download article pdf Image The Club has seen queries with regards to operating (other than innocent passage and transit passage) in the waters of Straits of Malacca and Singapore and associated waters where the close proximity of countries (Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia) and their enforcement of jurisdiction in this region is proving to be a cause of concern for vessel operators. A recent BIMCO article suggests that this is primarily due to overlapping of jurisdictions and some confusion as to how these jurisdictions are implemented. To summarise the contents of this article: Vessels are permitted to conduct innocent passage and/or transit passage (conducted continuously and expeditiously without stopping or anchoring, unless safe navigation warrants such stopping/anchoring or when required by force majeure or by distress). Outside of the above innocent and/or transit passage, in order to avoid potential conflict with the regulatory authorities, care needs to be exercised when carrying out planned operations such as: Drifting / slowing down for adjusting ETA / Awaiting instructions for berthing etc Anchoring Ship-to-ship (STS) operations (either at anchor or while underway) Outside port limits (OPL) operations (crew change, store, provisions, repairs, surveys etc Often, location and compliance with the appropriate reporting requirements can be key, with challenges faced by operators who fail to follow the requirements of the controlling regulatory authority potentially amounting to Detention Monetary penalty Arrest Key considerations when planning passage through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore or to a place within this area: Avoid operations other than innocent passage and transit passage