Singapore hydrographer receives highest international honour in the field
Dr Parry Oei, senior adviser for hydrography at the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and former chief hydrographer of Singapore, has been awarded the Prince Albert I Medal for Hydrography by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). This is regarded as one of the most prestigious recognitions in the field.
Conferred at this year's IHO Assembly, the medal is awarded to individuals whose work has made a lasting impact on international hydrographic standards, practices and cooperation. It recognizes exceptional contributions to the safety and efficiency of global maritime navigation.
Dr Oei's career in hydrography spans nearly four decades. Among his early contributions was advancing the use of satellite-positioning and real-time current measurement in hydrographic surveys, work that significantly has improved the accuracy and the reliability of marine data. He also played a key role in international efforts at the International Maritime Organization to strengthen navigational safety, including supporting adoption of electronic chart display systems on commercial vessels.
Building bridges across borders
His influence extends well beyond technology. Dr Oei has been a unswerving advocate for international cooperation in hydrography, chairing key regional and global bodies under the IHO and contributing to coordinated survey and charting efforts in some of the world's busiest waterways, including the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. He also established the IHO-Singapore Innovation and Technology Laboratory, created to support the development and testing of new hydrographic and marine data standards.
In his current role, Dr Oei serves as co-chair of the United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management Working Group on Marine Geospatial Information, where he advocates for the integration of land and sea data to address pressing global challenges including climate change, disaster resilience and sustainable ocean management.
Previous recipients of the Prince Albert I Medal have included leading hydrographers from Europe and North America who shaped modern nautical charting. Dr Oei's award places him among that group, and marks a significant recognition of Asia's growing contribution to the field.
