Strait of Malacca & Singapore – For mariners, these are not just names on a chart. They are the busiest and most strategically vital shipping lanes on the planet. Connecting the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea, this narrow waterway facilitates over 30% of global trade and nearly 80% of China’s oil imports. Navigating this congested, shallow, and ecologically sensitive environment demands more than just skill; it demands compulsory, expert local knowledge. This is the domain of the Malacca and Singapore Straits Pilotage Service . Why Compulsory Pilotage? Unlike many ports where pilotage is only mandatory within harbor limits, the traffic separation schemes (TSS) of the Malacca and Singapore Straits present unique challenges that necessitate compulsory deep-sea pilotage for specific categories of vessels.