KUALA LUMPUR: MALAYSIA is charting a bold new course for its maritime future, anchored by the Malaysia Maritime Masterplan 2026–2040, a long-term strategy to revitalise the shipping industry, upgrade port infrastructure, and unlock the full potential of the nation’s blue economy.

Under this transformative blueprint, the marine fuel supply industry is projected to surge to RM19.4 billion by 2030, fuelled by a new wave of shipyard upgrades, port expansions, and the creation of specialised blue economy hubs across key coastal states, including Sabah, Terengganu, Perak, and Kelantan.

Economists and industry analysts believe the timing of the masterplan could not be better. As global supply chains undergo realignment and shipping routes shift in response to geopolitical and economic changes, Malaysia’s maritime assets are gaining renewed strategic importance.

According to the Shipping Association Malaysia (SAM), the country’s strategic position along the Straits of Malacca – one of the world’s busiest trade corridors – coupled with its competitive energy costs, robust logistics ecosystem, and well-established ports, gives Malaysia a solid foundation to capture a larger share of regional maritime trade.

An industry expert noted that the maritime strategy is closely aligned with the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan (13MP), which emphasises regional rebalancing, infrastructure connectivity, and industrial upgrading.

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