Selayang: 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.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Loke, in his opening speech, said the 12-storey tower houses a Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) command centre, which focuses on monitoring the waters of the Straits of Malacca. The centre 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.
Loke emphasized the critical role of the VTS command centre operated by the Marine Department in ensuring maritime safety. The centre monitors the movement of thousands of vessels in real-time, providing navigational information and issuing early warnings of potential hazards.
He highlighted that the Straits of Malacca is one of the busiest shipping lanes globally, with an average of 200 ships daily, including giant oil tankers, container cargo vessels, and other merchant ships carrying about one-fifth of global trade. The VTS command centre is crucial for preventing vessel collisions, managing maritime emergencies such as oil spills or stranded ships, and ensuring the smooth and safe flow of maritime trade.
Loke warned that without an efficient and modern VTS system, the risk of maritime accidents would significantly increase, potentially harming the national economy, polluting the environment, and endangering lives.
The construction of the MDA Dues Tower began on December 1, 2017, fully financed by the Federation Light Dues Fund under the Federation Light Dues Act 1953, amounting to RM93.68 million. The project was completed in 2021 and commenced operations in 2024. The building’s design, based on a cruise ship concept, reflects the Marine Department’s identity as the leading authority in the country’s maritime sector.