MARITIME SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE STRAITS OF MALACCA AND SINGAPORE: A REVIEW

LUTFI  A RAHAMAN

doi:10.46754/jml.2026.08.006

Authors

LUTFI A RAHAMAN Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia; Alami Technologies, Star Central, Lingkaran Cyber Point Timur, Cyber 12, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46754/jml.2026.08.006

Keywords:

Straits of Malacca and Singapore, maritime safety, environmental protection, S-100 standards, cooperative governance

Abstract

The Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) are among the world’s busiest and most vulnerable maritime corridors, carrying over 94,000 vessels annually and facing persistent risks from collisions, oil spills, and transnational threats. This review contributes by synthesising Malaysia’s role in SOMS safety and sustainability through six themes linking governance, technology, and environmental protection: Navigation safety, environmental protection and oil spill response, sovereignty and security, regional and international cooperation, marine spatial planning, and socioeconomic significance. The review was conducted using the PSALSAR framework and PRISMA methodology: 2,800 records were identified; 81 remained after initial screening; 72 were retained after relevance screening; and 66 studies met the methodological evaluation criteria and were included in the final review. Findings highlight Malaysia’s initiatives, including SISPELSAT and SBAS/DGNSS for navigation, the MyMarine GeoHub and S-100 transition for integrated maritime governance, and the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan for environmental response, with Malaysia’s convening role reinforced at the 16th Cooperation Forum (2025). However, although cooperation exists through the Tripartite Technical Experts Group (TTEG) and the Cooperative Mechanism, funding contributions, data-sharing, and sovereignty sensitivities remain key limitations, alongside systemic challenges such as human factor risks, uninsured vessels, compensation gaps, and uncertainties from the global energy transition. By consolidating fragmented research and aligning it with emerging industrial practices and S-100 standards, this review advances academic discourse on maritime governance in congested chokepoints and offers policy insights for balancing global trade imperatives with safety, sovereignty, and environmental stewardship.

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