00:03Malaysia's maritime industry plays a very important role for economy.
00:07As I mentioned in my speech, 98% of our international trade are transported by sea.
00:13So our ports play a major role and the Minister of Transport will continue to support the expansion of ports
00:21around the country.
00:23Along the streets of Malacca, right now we have major projects ongoing.
00:27First is Westport 2 expansion, which will double the capacity of Westport.
00:32And then we are also planning on Kerry Island for the third port in Kuaklang.
00:40PTP of course going on expansion as well.
00:44Penang of course have plans for expansion.
00:47So all our major ports along the streets of Malacca are talking and planning about expansion.
00:52And some of them are ongoing.
00:54Of course the most immediate one is Westport expansion.
01:00The first part of the reclamation is almost completed.
01:05And I was told by Westport management that by next year, they will start constructing the yard.
01:11And it will be operational.
01:14The first city will be operational in two years' time.
01:18So it is all a very interesting development for Malaysia's maritime sector.
01:23As I mentioned earlier, right now we have two major ports, Port Klang and Port of Johor.
01:29Port of Johor has been announced as the 11th busiest port in the world by Lloyd's List this year.
01:37So it is exciting news for Malaysia's maritime sector.
01:41And we will continue to grow in the years to come.
01:44And we are very, very excited that the Malaysian maritime sector will continue to drive our economy and to create
01:51more jobs.
01:52So along the value chain, when we have more expansion of ports, more ships coming into our country, more trade.
01:59Of course, we are also building up our fleet, Malaysian fleet.
02:04So we are encouraging our ship owners to build more ships under Malaysian flag.
02:10And to have a better and more Malaysian flags vessel.
02:14This is important from a strategic point of view and important in terms of national security.
02:19So together with MASA, we are working together to encourage more building of Malaysian vessels.
02:27This will also create an industry by itself.
02:30We will continue to drive the development of the ship building industry.
02:36More shipyards, more ship building, more ship repair.
02:39So these are all very important jobs to be created under our maritime sector.
02:44The other important sector will be bunkering.
02:47As I mentioned earlier, bunkering is an important sector which we have lost out in many years.
02:55So right now, we are putting together our act.
02:59Minister of Transport has been given the mandate to be the lead agency in terms of approving permits and licenses
03:06regarding to bunkering.
03:09So in the past, any bunkering companies wanted to get a permit, they have to go to multiple agencies and
03:16different departments.
03:16So right now, we are putting together under one single window under the Ministry of Transport.
03:22So any permits related to bunkering will be processed under a single window under MOT.
03:28This will happen by February next year.
03:31So the mandate has been given by cabinet.
03:34We are working through the process within ministries.
03:38And so far we have received good cooperation from other departments and agencies.
03:42Hopefully this will drive the growth of our bunkering sector, which will create a lot of economic value for our
03:51country.
03:52Along the way, we are also looking at green bunkering.
03:56Because ships around the world right now are looking for alternative fuel.
04:00This is part of the obligation under IMO, where we need to talk about greener fuel such as methanol, LNG,
04:08ammonia and so forth.
04:09So all these are new sectors to be developed.
04:13Our ports must be ready. Our regulation must be ready.
04:16And we also need to have SOP.
04:18So on this call, we are working together with Australian government.
04:23That's why just now we have the Green Bunkering Roadmap, which look at the processes and the SOPs
04:30on how to achieve the readiness for green bunkering in Malaysia.
04:34So these are all very important developments under our maritime sector.
04:39And this is why we have this annual gathering.
04:43To get the industry players to come together, to discuss, to chart our costs.
04:49And most important of all, to create larger economic value for the country.
