Latest news with #VesselTrafficServices
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Sultan of Selangor officiates opening of Marine Dept's Light Dues Tower
PORT KLANG: Selangor's Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has officiated the Marine Department's Light Dues Tower at its headquarters here. The ruler arrived at about 11am on Thursday (Aug 14) and was welcomed by Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and Marine Department director-general Datuk Dickson Dollah. Loke, in his opening speech, said the 12-storey building, which houses a Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) command centre to monitor Straits of Malacca waters, not only meets the standards of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) but also plays an active role in shaping those standards at the global level. "In the context of maritime safety, the role of the VTS command centre operated by the Marine Department in this tower is critical and must not be taken lightly. "This VTS centre monitors the movement of thousands of vessels in real-time, daily. It provides navigational information and issues early warnings of potential hazards," he said. Loke pointed out that the Straits of Malacca is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, with an average of 200 ships daily, including giant oil tankers, container cargo vessels and various other merchant ships carrying about one-fifth of global trade. Therefore, the presence and efficiency of the VTS command centre serve as a key defence in preventing vessel collisions, managing maritime emergencies such as oil spills or stranded ships, and ensuring the smooth and safe flow of maritime trade. "Without an efficient and modern VTS system, the risk of maritime accidents will significantly increase, which could potentially harm the national economy, pollute the environment and endanger lives," he said. Construction of the MDA Dues Tower began on Dec 1, 2017, fully financed by the Federation Light Dues Fund (under the Federation Light Dues Act 1953), totalling RM93.68mil. The project was completed in 2021 and commenced operations in 2024. The design of the building was based on a cruise ship concept to reflect the Marine Department's identity as the leading authority in the country's maritime sector. – Bernama
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Selangor Sultan inaugurates Marine Department's Light Dues Tower in Port Klang
PORT KLANG: Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor today officiated the Marine Department's Light Dues Tower at its headquarters here. The ruler arrived at about 11 am and was welcomed by Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, and Marine Department director-general Datuk Dickson Dollah. Loke said the 12-storey tower houses a Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) command centre, which monitors the Straits of Malacca and meets global IALA standards. He emphasised the critical role of the VTS centre in maritime safety, providing real-time vessel tracking and hazard warnings. The Straits of Malacca sees an average of 200 ships daily, including oil tankers and cargo vessels handling one-fifth of global trade. Loke noted that the VTS centre prevents collisions, manages emergencies, and ensures smooth maritime trade flow. He warned that without an efficient VTS system, maritime accidents could harm the economy and environment. Construction of the RM93.68m tower began in 2017 and was completed in 2021, funded by the Federation Light Dues Fund. The tower's cruise ship-inspired design reflects the Marine Department's leadership in Malaysia's maritime sector. - Bernama
