The Malaysian Shipbuilding/Ship Repair Industry Strategic Plan 2020 (SBSR 2020) specifically targets focus development initiatives on niche markets involving vessels of less than 120 meters in length, thereby positioning the country as a prime regional player in the work boat market segment. In-country capabilities for offshore support vessels has been earmarked as a key component of the strategic plan.

Malaysia is home to more than 60 active shipbuilders, including a concentration of more than 40 builders of all kinds of steel and aluminum vessels of up to 5000DWT in the city of Sibu in the state of Sarawak. Malaysia is a notable exporter of vessels to Southeast Asian nations and beyond. Expertise spans anchor handling tug/supply vessels, tugs, patrol boats, survey vessels, ro-ro vessels, landing craft, and support vessels. Small vessels account for around three-quarters of industry output, which is generally around the 250-300-vessel level annually. Barges, harbour/ river tug boats, and other smaller capacity boats that normally ply within the coastal waters dominates the new build activities.

 

Further, with the world’s 12th and 19th largest container ports of Port Kelang and Tanjung Pelepas, respectively within it national boundaries, a substantial oil and gas sector, and numerous offshore islands, Malaysia is a major end user of all manner of workboats.

 

While still small, Malaysia is also home to a growing marine equipment manufacturing sub-sector. Areas of activity include manufacturing propellers, auxiliary equipment for deck machineries/equipment, accommodation outfitting such as hatches, watertight doors and windows, manholes, panelling, mooring ropes and corrosion protection paint. as well as engine rebuilding. Singapore is the second-largest container handling port in the world.