Malaysia’s maritime industry growing despite issues
Following investment from Maersk, Malaysia’s reputation as a globally important shipping nation is on the rise
Malaysia boasts a sea area almost twice the size of its land area, and a host of maritime-related industries covering petroleum and gas, shipping, ports, shipbuilding and ship repairs, fisheries, tourism, and more. Around 90% of trade is transported by ships, with over a third carried by Malaysian vessels.
According to the Marine Environment Protection of the South-East Asian Seas (MEPSEAS), the country’s merchant fleet totals 5,619,000 gross tonnes and consists of “17 dry cargo ships, 343 tankers and 352 passenger ships”. It is a leader in oil tanker and LNG (liquefied natural gas) carriers, with the Malaysian International Shipping Corporation (MISC) “once considered the single largest LNG operator in the world”.
It's also a large distribution and logistics hub. In November, Maersk inaugurated its largest contract logistics centre in Asia Pacific, the Maersk Mega Distribution Centre (Mega DC), covering nearly 180,000 square metres with 100,000 pallet positions with transport links to Port Klang and Kuala Lumpur International Airport, to increase its presence in Malaysia by more than 30%.
Challenges on the horizon
Like many maritime nations, Malaysia faces several pressing issues. Authorities must police waters against piracy, illegal fishing, and sanctions-busting ‘ghost ships’. Compliance with environmental regulations is critical and the sector, as in so many other countries, continues to face skills shortages that threaten long-term growth.
IMarEST has a clear presence in the country, with its Malaysian branch run jointly with the Royal Institute of Naval Architects (RINA).
2025 was clearly a big year for the global shipping industry, with trade rows, ongoing geopolitical tensions and the continuous drive to reduce emissions and be more sustainable. The branch was very active during this period, with a range of professional talks, outreach activities and competitions to ensure plenty of engagement with practising mariners, and those of the future.
“This past year was productive,” enthuses branch chair Admiral Franklin Joseph (FIMarEST). “We had 16 online technical talks with an average attendance of 40 [people], we carried out four secondary schools career days under the Sea Your Future flag, we held our first Virtual International Marine Conference 2025 (VIMC2025) in September 2025 and held our annual University Final Year Thesis competition.”
The branch also had an AGM and closed out the year with its annual dinner. A similar level of activity is planned for 2026, and Admiral Joseph urges marine professionals in the country to get involved. “[The] MJB (Malaysian Joint Branch) is the strongest anchor for marine professional development in Malaysia,” he concludes.
The branch is actively looking for new members, so if you’re looking to advance your career in this dynamic and strategic region, then please get in touch.
Image: container terminal in Port Klang, Malaysia. Credit: Shutterstock.
