Malaysia will centralise bunkering licence approvals under the Transport Ministry from Feb 1, 2027, as it targets a greener Asia-Pacific maritime hub by 2030
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Transport (MOT) will be the single lead agency to approve bunkering licences and related permits starting Feb 1, 2027, said its Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook.
He said that the ministry is working through the process within ministries and have received good cooperation from other departments and agencies.
“This will drive the growth of our bunkering sector, creating a lot of economic value for our country. Along the way, we are also looking at green bunkering because ships around the world right now are looking for alternative fuels,” he told a press conference after officiating the Malaysia Maritime Week 2026 (MMW2026) today.
MMW2026, held from Sept 29 to Oct 2, aims to reinforce Malaysia’s role as a progressive maritime nation and a competitive maritime and logistics hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
The event is organised by the MOT in strategic collaboration with MISC Bhd and the Malaysia Shipowners’ Association (MASA), with the theme “From Ambition to Action: Powering Maritime Excellence”.
Loke also emphasised that the green bunkering is part of the obligations under the International Maritime Organisation, whereby the adoption of greener fuels such as methanol, liquefied natural gas and ammonia being pushed as part of the 2030 Carbon Intensity Goal and 2050 Net-Zero emission target.
Earlier in his speech, Loke reiterated the need for a clear regulatory framework and a reliable approval process for the industry, in line with Malaysia’s goal of becoming an Asia-Pacific bunkering hub by 2030.
“This will give operators a single point of accountability and support more consistent decisions on safety, fuel quality and environmental protection.
“This reform is part of our broader effort to build a competitive bunkering sector that can serve today’s shipping needs and prepare Malaysia for the transition to cleaner marine fuels,” he said.
The ministry is also advancing the Malaysia Maritime Bunkering initiative to build a greener and more sustainable marine fuel ecosystem.
Loke said Malaysia is also working with Australia to develop a policy and legal framework for green bunkering, including the use of greener fuels.
Meanwhile, on Malaysia’s declining vessel fleet, he said the MOT is encouraging Malaysian shipowners to build more vessels and register them under the Malaysian flag.
“We are also building up our Malaysian fleet and working together to encourage the construction of more Malaysian vessels.
“This will also create an industry in itself. We will continue to drive the development of the shipbuilding industry, with more shipyards, shipbuilding and ship repair. These are all important areas for job creation in our maritime sector,” he added.