# Development Works at Pedra Branca to Enhance Maritime Safety and Security

- **Source:** Ministry of National Development
- **Published:** 2021-07-05T13:30:00.000Z
- **Author:** Ministry of National Development
- **Original:** https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/view/development-works-at-pedra-branca-to-enhance-maritime-safety-and-security
- **Topics:** HDB & Public Housing, Commercial & Industrial, Government & Policy

## Featured rationale

The infrastructure expansion could strengthen operational capacity and maritime safety around the island, potentially supporting more effective use of Singapore’s territorial waters.

## AI summary

Singapore will reclaim land within 0.5 nautical miles of Pedra Branca to add berthing, logistics, administrative and communications facilities for maritime operations.

## Original article

As announced in 2019, Singapore will carry out development works at Pedra Branca to enhance maritime safety and security, and improve search and rescue capabilities in the area. As part of the development works, land reclamation will be carried out at Pedra Branca by the Housing & Development Board (HDB). 

Pedra Branca is an island located near the eastern entrance of the Strait of Singapore, about 24 nautical miles east of mainland Singapore. Singapore has undertaken capability and infrastructural upgrades at Pedra Branca to meet our requirements over time. Today, besides the Horsburgh Lighthouse, Pedra Branca also hosts facilities for the Vessel Traffic Information System, a helipad, a desalination plant, a communications tower and rebroadcast station. The planned development works will improve these facilities, provide berthing for vessels at Pedra Branca, and additional logistics, administrative support and communications facilities. This will enable our agencies to carry out their duties in a safer and more effective manner. 

The development works will be carried out within 0.5 nautical miles of Pedra Branca and in Singapore Territorial Waters off Pedra Branca. All the development works will be carried out in accordance with international law. Singapore had considered undertaking these development works as far back as the 1970s. However, they were postponed in view of the legal dispute between Singapore and Malaysia regarding the sovereignty over Pedra Branca, Middle Rocks and South Ledge. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded sovereignty over Pedra Branca to Singapore in 2008. The ICJ in its Judgment expressly noted that Singapore had plans for reclamation at Pedra Branca. With the discontinuance of Malaysia’s applications for revision and interpretation of the ICJ’s Judgment in 2018, Singapore will now proceed with these development works. 

An environmental study has been carried out to assess the potential impact of the works on the surrounding marine environment and ecology, as well as on the safety of navigation in the relevant waters. The study determined that environmental impact to the area can be minimised with the implementation of appropriate mitigating measures. Measures will also be put in place to ensure that the works will not affect the navigational safety of vessels in the area.

## Chinese translation

> Translation model: grok_cli

### 白礁发展工程提升海事安全与安保

正如2019年所宣布，新加坡将在白礁（Pedra Branca）开展发展工程，以提升该区域的海事安全与安保，并改善搜救能力。作为发展工程的一部分，建屋发展局（HDB）将在白礁进行填海工程。

白礁是位于新加坡海峡东入口附近的岛屿，距新加坡本岛以东约24海里。新加坡长期以来已在白礁进行能力与基础设施升级，以满足我国需求。如今，除霍士堡灯塔外，白礁还设有船舶交通资讯系统设施、直升机停机坪、海水淡化厂、通讯塔及转播站。计划中的发展工程将改善这些设施，为船舶提供白礁停泊条件，并增设后勤、行政支援及通讯设施。这将使我国相关机构能以更安全、更有效的方式履行职责。

发展工程将在白礁0.5海里范围内，以及白礁附近的新加坡领海内进行。所有发展工程均将依照国际法实施。新加坡早在1970年代就已考虑开展这些发展工程。然而，鉴于新加坡与马来西亚就白礁、中岩礁及南礁主权的法律争端，工程被推迟。国际法院（ICJ）于2008年将白礁主权判归新加坡。国际法院在判决中明确指出，新加坡曾有在白礁填海的计划。随着马来西亚于2018年撤回其对国际法院判决的修订及解释申请，新加坡现将推进这些发展工程。

已开展环境研究，评估工程对周边海洋环境与生态，以及对相关水域航行安全的潜在影响。研究认定，通过实施适当缓解措施，可将对该区域的环境影响降至最低。亦将采取措施，确保工程不影响该区域船舶的航行安全。