Remarks by Senior Minister of State for Transport Mr Chee Hong Tat at the Launch of the Joint International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO)-Singapore Innovation and Technology Laboratory

1.     Good evening, I am honoured to join you at the launch of the Joint International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)-Singapore Innovation and Technology Laboratory.

2.     Hydrography is critical to the maritime industry. Knowing the depths of the sea, shape of the seabed, tides and currents are fundamental for any activity associated with the sea. There are clear benefits to map our seas and oceans accurately.

3.     The IHO was established in 1921 with this in mind, to ensure all the world’s seas, oceans and navigable waters are surveyed and charted, and to set the standards for hydrography and nautical charts. This is an objective that cannot be achieved by any single country alone. Today, the IHO comprises 95 Member States, including Singapore, working together to increase our collective knowledge and to contribute to the safe and sustainable use of our seas and oceans.

4.     This year marks the 100th anniversary of the IHO. Member States had celebrated this special occasion in June this year. IHO’s 100th anniversary is significant because it represents a century of international cooperation. And this is key, as we face the challenges ahead, including a rapidly growing demand for hydrographic data. 

Growing demand for hydrographic data

5.     Traditionally, hydrographic data is used for nautical charts, to help ships navigate the waters safely. This is still relevant today. In fact, there is increasing demand for more hydrographic data, as countries explore new sea routes and develop new ports to stay connected to the rest of the world.

6.     However, over the years, the use of hydrographic data has also evolved and expanded. Increasingly, there is demand for the data to be used beyond navigational purposes, such as for marine resource management and sustainability, coastal protection and engineering, climate change studies, and environmental impact assessment and mitigation studies, just to give a few examples. 

7.     Advancements in technology for hydrography such as the use of Lidar and Satellite Derived Bathymetry have contributed to this. There is greater access to hydrographic data. Data can be processed and used in the broader context for marine geographic information systems, which helps us to reconstruct the geographic reality of our seas and oceans. These technologies have also enabled new data and understanding about the seas and oceans that have been translated into updates of hydrographic standards to be used for a wider variety of applications.

8.     While technology has created numerous opportunities for us to harness hydrographic data to enhance safe navigation and contribute to the sustainable use of our seas and oceans, this requires international cooperation. Please allow me to quote from IHO Secretary General Dr. Mathias Jonas’s speech at the IHO Centenary Celebrations this year, where he said, “no single nation can deliver on its own the hydrographic capacity we need for the oceans we want.”

Collaboration among Member States

9.     Collaboration is therefore essential. The Malacca and Singapore Straits Electronic Navigational Chart or MSS-ENC, was launched in 2005. This is a product of littoral Member States working together: Hydrographic Offices of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, with technical advice provided by the Japan Coast Guard and the Nippon Foundation, worked together to produce the first official MSS-ENC covering the waters from One Fathom Bank in Malaysia, through the Riau waters of Indonesia, to the eastern entrance of the Singapore Strait. The availability of the MSS-ENC, together with the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), has enabled mariners to access up-to-date navigational data, enhancing safe navigation as they ply the Straits of Malacca and Singapore – one of the world’s busiest shipping routes between the Indian Ocean and South China Sea.

10.    More recently, Member States are collaborating to provide technical expertise and build capabilities for other Member States to convert and transit from the IHO standard S-57 to the new S-101 standard. The IHO S-100-based Product Specifications allow greater interoperability of hydrographic data. This enables hydrographic data to be used for a wider range of non-navigational activities and in information systems to support the International Maritime Organization e-Navigation initiatives.

11.    These are testaments of the collaborative spirit of the IHO, where Member States work together to bring about improvements to the maritime industry, as well as the wider community.

IHO Lab

12.    I am therefore pleased to announce the launch of the Joint IHO-Singapore Innovation and Technology Lab, or IHO Lab for short. The IHO Lab was proposed by Singapore and co-sponsored by the United States of America.  It received approval by Member States at the 2nd IHO Assembly in November 2020. On behalf of Singapore, I thank all Member States for your support. 

13.    The IHO Lab is the first of its kind in the world, and we are very proud to host it here in Singapore. Its mission is to develop and harness emerging hydrographic-related technologies such as S-100-related software and hardware, and supporting systems for autonomous shipping, for safe maritime navigation and protection of the marine environment. We need to enable faster translation of knowledge into new standards in navigational and non-navigational areas. The most effective way to achieve this goal is to consolidate our collective resources and expertise to keep pace with technological changes.

14.    The IHO Lab will further enhance international collaborations. Through the IHO Lab, Member States, industry stakeholders, international organisations, as well as maritime research and development bodies can come together to:
- Undertake innovative or investigative projects, and test-bed solutions in the field;
- Create knowledge and evaluate specifications of global standard-setting within the scope of IHO standardization activities; and
- Interact, learn and promote new solutions and technologies with fellow experts and like-minded partners. There are many benefits if we work together.

15.    In addition, Member States can leverage on Singapore’s ecosystem of shipping companies, port operators, maritime research institutes and centres of excellence to form multidisciplinary teams with different expertise. Singapore is located at one of the busiest waterways in the world and our advanced Vessel Traffic Information System can handle more than 10,000 vessels. These will provide useful data and also challenging scenarios for the IHO Lab to conduct rigorous testing of ideas and innovations.

16.    The launch of the IHO Lab is a reflection of Singapore’s commitment towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the IHO Strategic Goals. Singapore will make an in-kind contribution of S$1.1 million to fund the IHO Lab’s workspace and manpower over the first five years of its operations. We are also ready to provide seed funding for projects initiated by the IHO Lab.

Conclusion

17.    Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to conclude my speech. The IHO Lab is an exciting initiative. It is an opportunity for Member States and industry stakeholders to work together to further unlock the potential of hydrography, hydrographic data and hydrographic technologies. Together, we can improve safety for our seafarers and enhance the protection of our marine environment.

18.    I wish everyone fruitful discussions over the next four days. Thank you.