Singapore hydrographer wins top international maritime award

Dr. Parry Oei, a senior adviser for hydrography at the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), has been awarded the Prince Albert I Medal for Hydrography for his contributions to the safety, efficiency, and advancement of global maritime navigation.

The award was presented on April 20 during the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) assembly in Monaco. The medal recognizes individuals whose work has a lasting impact on international cooperation, practices, and standards regarding the use of the seas.

Global Contributions and the Prince Albert I Medal for Hydrography

Hydrography is the science of producing nautical charts and data for navigation by surveying tides, currents, and seabed features. Over his career, Dr. Oei improved the accuracy of marine data through the early adoption of satellite positioning.

His work with the International Maritime Organization included efforts to boost navigational safety by promoting the use of electronic chart display systems on ships.

Dr. Oei has also chaired various global and regional bodies under the IHO. His efforts include coordinated survey and charting initiatives in the straits of Malacca and Singapore.

In his current role with the UN Global Geospatial Information Management Working Group on Marine Geospatial Information, Dr. Oei advocates for the integration of land and sea data. These initiatives aim to address sustainable ocean management, disaster resilience, and climate change.

Dr. Oei joins a distinguished group of predominantly European and North American hydrographers who have received the medal, including National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency official Peter Doherty and Netherlands Hydrographic Office director Marc van der Donck.