Malaysian ports safe haven amid shipping disruptions, says official

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian ports have emerged as a safe and reliable part of a secure logistics chain even as tensions in the Middle East and elsewhere have disrupted the global maritime economy, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said on Wednesday.

This has been evidenced by Malaysian ports continuing to record higher shipping volumes as vessels reroute to the country's shores due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East and every effort must be made to ensure there are no tensions in the Strait of Malacca and other regional waterways, Loke told reporters following his keynote speech at the ASEAN Ports and Logistics Exhibition and Conference 2026 in Kuala Lumpur.

"Geopolitical instability in the Middle East has created opportunities for ports in Asia, particularly in Malaysia, because we are seen as a safe haven ... The strait must remain free from all forms of conflict. That is our foremost commitment," he said.

Earlier in his speech, Loke said that the continued resilience of the ASEAN region depends not only on the strength of the ports of individual member states but also on the collective ability to work together as an integrated ASEAN maritime community.

"ASEAN continues to emerge as one of the world's most dynamic economic regions, supported by strong manufacturing capabilities, growing foreign direct investment and deeper regional economic integration," he said.

"Malaysia remains committed to supporting this shared aspiration by developing our ports as strategic logistics hubs connecting ASEAN with the global economy," he added.

Held from July 7 to 9, the conference is one of ASEAN's leading annual maritime and logistics conferences and exhibitions, bringing together industry leaders to discuss issues shaping the future of the maritime and logistics sector, with more than 300 delegates from 20 countries, including representatives from port authorities, shipping lines, terminal operators, logistics service providers, government agencies, technology companies and other key industry stakeholders. Enditem