A buoy tender paid for by the Nippon Foundation will be officially delivered to the Malaysian government Thursday, foundation officials said.

According to the officials, the 903-ton Pedoman, which will be used to inspect and maintain buoys along navigational routes in the Malacca Straits, was requested by the Malacca Straits Council.

The 780 million yen ship will replace another buoy tender of the same name that was donated by the foundation in 1976.