Singapore, Indonesia ink MOU to enhance safety of ferry services

By Foo Siew Shyan, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 12 June 2007 1714 hrs

SINGAPORE : Singapore and Indonesia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to boost the safety of ferry services between the two countries.

The agreement will see both sides sharing Electronic Navigational Charts for key routes between Singapore and the Indonesian islands of Batam, Bintan and Karimum.

This will benefit some 60 passenger ferries which ply the routes every day.

It will also help maritime authorities of both countries prepare for new international requirements next year, which mandate new ferries to have electronic navigational charts and information systems.

The agreement was inked between the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and its Indonesian counterpart Janhidros in Batam on Tuesday. - CNA /ls