FAQ
Our Straits Pilots are marine navigational experts who work alongside ship Masters and crew to support safe passage through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) — one of the world's busiest and most demanding shipping corridors. They provide real-time advice on navigation, compliance, traffic, weather, and emergency preparedness throughout the transit.
No. Pilotage in the SOMS is voluntary. It is designed to support safe transit while preserving the right of international passage through the Straits. Engaging a Straits Pilot is a proactive measure that many vessel operators choose to reduce navigational risk.
Sayfe maintains a pool of active, certified advisors based in Singapore and at key embarkation points along the Malacca Strait. Through the Sayfe mobile app, bookings can be confirmed in real time, with advisors available to board within the vessel's required ETA window at the rendezvous location. For planned transits, Sayfe recommends booking 24–48 hours in advance to guarantee advisor availability and allow time for pre-transit planning coordination. For urgent or unplanned requests, the Sayfe operations centre operates 24/7 and can source an available advisor on short notice. Transit requirements, vessel particulars, and rendezvous coordinates can be submitted directly through the app or by contacting ops.sayfe@gmail.com. Sayfe will confirm advisor availability and deployment details promptly.
Sayfe provides marine advisory services to a wide range of commercial vessel types transiting the Malacca and Singapore Straits. Clients include VLCCs and Suezmax tankers, bulk carriers, container vessels, LNG and LPG carriers, car carriers, and general cargo ships. Sayfe's advisors are experienced across vessel types and can provide relevant guidance regardless of vessel size or cargo type.
Our advisors advise on all key regulatory frameworks applicable to the SOMS, including IMO navigation rules for the Straits, reporting requirements set by the Maritime Authorities of Malaysia and Singapore, and ICS/OCIMF pilotage guidelines for the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.
Our advisors assist with full passage planning, including recommending optimal routes and engine speeds to maintain sufficient underkeel clearance throughout the entire transit. They also conduct regular position checks and advise on the timing of all course and speed alterations.
Our Straits Advisors help develop contingency plans for a range of critical scenarios, including piracy, oil spills, and other maritime emergencies, ensuring vessels are prepared before entering high-risk or restricted areas.
Our advisors provide up-to-date briefings on tidal patterns and weather conditions along the full route. They also continuously monitor local maritime traffic — including fishing vessels and nearby ships — particularly in restricted or high-risk areas, and initiate early communication with approaching vessels to support collision avoidance.
Yes. Our advisors maintain radio watch on the appropriate VTS channels and Channel 16, and relay relevant safety broadcasts from coastal stations — including alerts on new wrecks, obstructions, and other navigational hazards affecting the area.