Malaysia’s roadmap for green fuel bunkering

Malaysia has launched the Green Bunkering Regulatory Roadmap, a national strategy designed to prepare the country's ports, institutions and regulatory framework for the transition to low-emissions maritime fuels. The Roadmap was launched at Maritime Week 2026 by Malaysia’s Minister of Transport YB Anthony Loke.  

As the global shipping industry works towards decarbonisation, demand for alternative fuels such as liquefied natural gas, methanol and ammonia is growing. According to a recent DNV report, nearly 15% of vessels currently on order are being built with dual-fuel or alternative-fuel capability, while the number of vessels in operation that can use alternative fuels has increased tenfold since 2020.

For countries with major ports, strategic shipping routes and strong supply chain networks, this transition presents an opportunity not only to reduce emissions, but also to strengthen competitiveness and attract new investment.

With major maritime hubs including Port Klang and Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia is well placed to play a strong role in the region's emerging low-emissions fuels ecosystem. Realising this opportunity, however, requires more than new technologies. It also depends on clear regulations, coordinated planning and the confidence for industry to make investments.

To help create these enabling conditions, Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport developed the Green Bunkering Regulatory Roadmap in partnership with P4I. Drawing on extensive consultation with port authorities, operators and industry stakeholders, the Roadmap provides a pathway for Malaysia to support the safe, efficient and commercially viable uptake of alternative maritime fuels.

The Roadmap includes nine priority recommendations covering institutional reform, streamlined digital licensing processes, safety frameworks for methanol and ammonia bunkering, investment incentives, and the development of a longer-term Clean Fuels Act. Endorsed by Cabinet in early 2026, it provides strategic direction for all seven of Malaysia's federal ports.

One of these priority recommendations will take effect in February 2027, with all bunkering licences consolidated into a single-window process managed by the Ministry of Transport. This will streamline the approval process, which previously required approvals from approximately eight agencies.

Minister of Transport YB Anthony Loke said, “Malaysia has great potential to become a green bunkering hub in the region. This Roadmap will strengthen the competitiveness of our maritime industry and unlock new market opportunities so we are glad to be working with international partners like Australia to shape a more sustainable shipping future.”

For P4I, the Roadmap represents an important milestone in advancing practical reforms that create the conditions for sustainable infrastructure investment. It demonstrates the value of long-term partnerships and industry collaboration in helping governments navigate complex transitions while unlocking opportunities for investment, innovation and economic growth.

The Roadmap builds on work that began in 2022, when P4I, Malaysia's Ministry of Transport and Port of Tanjung Pelepas undertook a comprehensive feasibility study on the potential for green bunkering in Malaysia. The study used Port of Tanjung Pelepas as a pilot location and examined the technical, commercial and socio-economic case for Malaysia to become a regional green bunkering hub, while identifying key regulatory gaps that would need to be addressed.

“It's remarkable to see how a feasibility study at a single port has evolved into a national strategy,” said Simon Cramp, Strategic Director of Partnerships for Infrastructure. “After four years of partnership with Malaysia's Ministry of Transport, and the establishment of an MoU between Port of Tanjung Pelepas and the Port of Melbourne, this Roadmap represents a significant step forward for Malaysia's green shipping ambitions.”

The Roadmap provides a foundation for Malaysia to position itself as a regional hub for alternative fuel supply. With the policy framework now in place, attention turns to implementation, including establishing licensing arrangements, piloting safety procedures, strengthening institutional capacity, and building the investment case for green bunkering infrastructure at scale.