Passage Planning Guide – Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) (PPG – SOMS 2023-24 Edition)

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 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.

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.

The Guide illustrates areas where high vigilance is required and lists the pre-emptive measures that should be taken by the ship. These areas have been revised and expanded, with input from the pilots who regularly navigate these challenging areas, to include the area around Muda Selatan. Also included are a number of case studies that examine the causes of various groundings and collisions in the Straits.

Key information about the ordering of pilots for Singapore has been updated and presented in an easy to use format. Sections on key depths for ships transiting East and Westbound have been revised into large, pull-out sections to enable the bridge team to gain an enhanced overview of the entire passage.

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.