Kuala lumpur: Malaysia possesses a strong and competitive foundation to emerge as a major ship maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) hub in ASEAN, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, MITI emphasized that clear industrial policy support, competitive investment incentives, well-planned port infrastructure and systems, an increasingly mature local supply chain, as well as continued government support will ensure the continued growth of the maritime MRO industry. The industry is expected to attract high-quality investments, generate high-skilled employment opportunities, and strengthen Malaysia’s position as a competitive and sustainable regional maritime hub.
The government recognizes the potential of the shipbuilding and ship repair industry, particularly in the area of shipping MRO, as a key driver of the country’s maritime economic development. Malaysia’s strategic location, with the Straits of Malacca and the Singapore Strait being among the world’s busiest trade routes, naturally creates high demand for maritime MRO services, the ministry noted in a written reply on Parliament’s official website.
MITI was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (PH-Gombak) regarding the government’s strategy to enhance the maritime industry’s capacity, particularly in the MRO segment, and the opportunities identified to position Malaysia as a leading maritime MRO nation in ASEAN.
The ministry highlighted Malaysia’s competitive operating costs, larger shipyard space, and targeted government incentives aimed at enhancing MRO technological capabilities, making the country an attractive alternative in the region. The growth of the ship repair and maintenance services market, in line with the expansion of global maritime trade, presents opportunities for local shipyards to strengthen their reach and specialized services for commercial vessels, tankers, container ships, and offshore support vessels.
Malaysia currently boasts 110 registered shipyards, including 38 in Peninsular Malaysia and 72 in Sabah and Sarawak. Additionally, the presence of at least 40 local marine equipment manufacturers demonstrates a broad infrastructure base to support the domestic and regional MRO supply chains, according to MITI.