The collection of bathymetric data or the measurement of modern hydrographic in Malaysia started in 1868 by The Royal British Naval Hydrographic Services, to publish the British Admiralty nautical charts. In the year 1964, the British government decided to withdraw all their assets and hydrographic platforms and transfer the responsibilities to chart the country's hydrographic territory to the Malaysian Navy after they are assured of the Malaysian Navy's ability to execute hydrographic activities without their intervention.

The responsibility to execute hydrographic activities was given to the Hydrographic Directorate of The Royal Malaysian Navy (HDRMN) by the Cabinet in 1972. From then on, HDRMN becomes the agency, representing the government in all matters related to domestic hydrographic activities as well as the government's representative in handling global problems and issues pertaining to maritime boundary and law of the sea (UNCLOS).

On 15th April 2003, a new building for HDRMN was constructed at Pulau Indah, Klang, Selangor and was completed on 14th October 2005. Known as National Hydrographic Centre (NHC), the infrastructure and new building facility was built at a cost of RM96.5 million and is fully operational with a complement of 31 officers and 170 non-commissioned officers as well as 3 civil servants.

NHC and KD Sri Klang was integrated to a newly commissioned Navy Base and commissioned by the Sultan of Selangor, DYMM Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj Ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Al-Haj on 19th December 2006 by the name of KD Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah. This base has the basic and specific needs of the RMN to equip itself with the conveniences of a modern and sophisticated infrastructure with standards similar to those of developed countries.