The Marine Department of Malaysia and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) work closely to ensure smooth handovers. Vessels are tracked via radar and AIS (Automatic Identification System) long before they reach pilot boarding grounds.

Despite the "Transit Passage" freedom, the littoral states strongly recommend employing a "Deep Sea Pilot" for vessels with deep drafts (often over 12-15 meters), particularly Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs). These pilots do not take over the conn (control) of the vessel legally in the same way a port pilot does; they act as advisors, providing local knowledge on currents and traffic density to the ship’s Master.

Pilotage in the Malacca Straits is considered high-risk due to three primary factors: Traffic Density, Hydrography, and Weather.