Acquisition Of Two SMLs To Speed Up Seabed Mapping - Navy Chief

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) is set to accelerate seabed mapping efforts through the acquisition of two Survey Motor Launches (SMLs), approved under Budget 2027.

Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain said the acquisition was approved under the Second Rolling Plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), but the procurement process had yet to begin.

He said the addition of the hydrographic assets was crucial to enhancing seabed mapping capabilities, which underpin scientific research, development and national security.

“We currently have just one hydrographic vessel for seabed mapping, making it difficult to cover all Malaysian waters.

“With the acquisition of these two SMLs, the process can be accelerated. We hope to complete the mapping by 2050,” he told reporters after officiating the Seabed 2030 Indo-Pacific Ocean Mapping Meeting & Data Sprint 2026 here today.

Earlier in his speech, he said the Seabed 2030 report showed that only 28.7 per cent of the world's seabed had been mapped to modern standards, while more than 70 per cent remained inadequately mapped.

He said the shortfall had implications for scientific research, development and security, underscoring the need for Malaysia to strengthen its national hydrographic capabilities.

He added that the RMN continued to rely on chartered vessels to expedite seabed mapping, as its existing dedicated hydrographic vessel, KD Perantau, was ageing.

Meanwhile, Zulhelmy welcomed the allocations under Budget 2027, saying they would enable the RMN to carry out essential operations and acquire new assets.

“Although the allocation has increased compared with our previous requests, we must recognise that costs will change over time. Therefore, I regard the budget as stable,” he said.

In another development, Zulhelmy said a proposal to establish a Hydrographic Act to provide a legal framework for the National Hydrographic Centre (NHC) was still under discussion.

Media reports have previously quoted NHC director-general Rear Admiral Dr Najhan Md Said as stressing the need for a dedicated Hydrographic Act to establish the centre as the sole national authority responsible for producing official nautical charts, managing bathymetric data and issuing maritime safety declarations.

--BERNAMA