Southern South China Sea Summary
Updated: August 20, 2024
Just imagine you are a freighter, and you crossed through the Malacca Strait. You then turn north past Singapore, cross between the shores of Malaysia and Indonesia, and head further north to drop cargo somewhere in China, Japan, South Korea or elsewhere.
That journey after you clear Singapore sees you cross a sea with dozens, if not hundreds of islands, before you clear Laut Island.
Some are large like the Riau Islands, Tobong, Air Pasir, Monggok, Serasan, Terempa, Letong, and Ajer Koempai. Some are fishing islands like Pengiki-Besar Island which has recent Google Earth satellite imagery from 7/14/2024. Location: 0°14'35"N 108°02'30"E. This island is 0.73 miles long and we see a new naval base, along with significant fishing activity. We see another like Pulau Tambelan Besar, with an airport, fishing port, and beautiful greenery. Location: 1°01'25"N 107°29'30"E.
We have the north boundary of this area at Laut Island, the north edge of Indonesia, which we described in its own webpage. We did not survey the others as we believe they are most likely developed, inhabited and defended by Malaysia and Indonesia. they are not part of the drama of the South China Sea.
However, they do create the entryway from the south which would be used by significant amounts of commercial shipping and logistics, and require attention to ensure that waterway stays clear and free to navigate.
Just imagine you are a freighter, and you crossed through the Malacca Strait. You then turn north past Singapore, cross between the shores of Malaysia and Indonesia, and head further north to drop cargo somewhere in China, Japan, South Korea or elsewhere.
That journey after you clear Singapore sees you cross a sea with dozens, if not hundreds of islands, before you clear Laut Island.
Some are large like the Riau Islands, Tobong, Air Pasir, Monggok, Serasan, Terempa, Letong, and Ajer Koempai. Some are fishing islands like Pengiki-Besar Island which has recent Google Earth satellite imagery from 7/14/2024. Location: 0°14'35"N 108°02'30"E. This island is 0.73 miles long and we see a new naval base, along with significant fishing activity. We see another like Pulau Tambelan Besar, with an airport, fishing port, and beautiful greenery. Location: 1°01'25"N 107°29'30"E.
We have the north boundary of this area at Laut Island, the north edge of Indonesia, which we described in its own webpage. We did not survey the others as we believe they are most likely developed, inhabited and defended by Malaysia and Indonesia. they are not part of the drama of the South China Sea.
However, they do create the entryway from the south which would be used by significant amounts of commercial shipping and logistics, and require attention to ensure that waterway stays clear and free to navigate.
You cross through a 270 mile wide channel between Tanjung and Singkawang, and these islands are in the center of that channel.
Center of the Southern South China Sea, the Tembelan Archapelago. Google Earth August 20, 2024.