Marine Electronic Highway in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore

Development of a Regional Marine Electronic Highway (MEH) in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore - Demonstration Phase: In partnership with the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners and the International Hydrographic Organization

The ultimate goal of this initiative is the use of innovative maritime and environment management technological tools to create network and maintain a marine information infrastructure for enhancing maritime services, improving the safety of navigation and integrated management of the coastal and marine areas of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

The Marine Electronic Highway (MEH) is an innovative marine information and infrastructure system that integrates environmental management and protection systems and maritime safety technologies for enhanced maritime services, higher navigational safety standards, integrated marine environment protection and sustainable development of coastal and marine resources. The backbone of the MEH is precision navigation and will utilize a network of electronic navigational charts (ENCs) in conjunction with Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) and other maritime technologies.

This initiative is part of a two-stage MEH Project for the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. This initiative, which is a demonstration project, will cover parts of the Straits, mainly the area of the Traffic Separation Scheme. The second stage or full-scale project, which will follow after this initiative, will cover the whole Straits including the coastal waters of the littoral States.

The general objectives of this initiative are to delineate options for the implementation of the MEH system in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore and assess the technical, financial, economic, social, institutional, political and legal aspects of the identified options, assess the integration of marine environment protection system with precision navigation, and develop sustainable financial mechanisms and a managing tool to operate, manage and administer the MEH system. The implementation will also cover the evaluation on the benefits of the system and financing requirements to implement the identified activities leading to the establishment of the MEH system in the Straits. Overall, the development objectives of this initiative are the following:

* Establish the MEH and demonstrate its technical functionalities on maritime safety and marine environment protection for the Straits of Malacca and Singapore;

* Facilitate the integration of marine environment systems and data flow and information exchange through the MEH system;

* Develop the operational and administrative mechanisms for the sustainable management of the MEH system;

* Evaluate the financial, social and economic benefits and legal aspects of the MEH system;

* Promote awareness and participation of relevant stakeholders to support the MEH system;
and

* Strengthen national and regional capacity in maritime safety and marine environment protection for the sustainable management of the MEH system.