11SEP2019 - NEWS - Malaysia seeks to overtake Singapore as bunkering hub

The Malaysian Transport Ministry is in the process of reviewing regulations and restrictions to allow Malaysia to become a bunker hub for vessels passing through the busy Straits of Malacca, an industry currently dominated by southern neighbours Singapore.

Its minister Anthony Loke said on Tuesday (Sept 10) the move to expand and develop the needed infrastructure and ecosystems would allow the country to tap into its profitability, but admitted the current shortcomings in terms of security, supplies, and current regulations.

“Over the years we think we have lost out in terms of bunkering, because all ships coming to ports and passing by the Straits of Malacca, they need to refuel, but most of the time all these bunkering is happening in Singapore, so we are losing out in terms of business to our southern neighbour.