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
