Malaysia Bans Bunkering In New Marine Sensitive Area Near Strait Of Malacca And Singapore

Malaysia has banned bunkering in a new Marine Sensitive Area near the eastern approaches to the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

Ships are required to abide by the speed limit, while large cargo ships and oil tankers are forbidden from entering.

The regulations were issued on September 11, 2026, through Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone Regulations 2026. The government introduced them to protect marine life, preserve protected features and control pollution from marine structures.

Malaysia announced the new area through Marine Sensitive Area Notice 01/2026 on September 10.

Ships should not be traveling at speeds higher than 12 knots within the area. Large cargo ships and oil tankers that measure over 300 metres long and 40 metres wide should not be entering the area.

Anchoring has been prohibited except when there is search and rescue operation, when a ship needs to anchor due to damage and pollution emergencies.

Bunkering within the area has also been prohibited. Only after obtaining written permission from the Malaysian government can cargo be transferred.

The restrictions also apply to activities that may harm the seabed and other marine features. These include dredging, salvage, construction of any structure, and laying, repair or replacement of cables and pipelines.

Research operations, seismic surveys, seabed mining and resource exploitation also need government authorisation.

Ship owners, masters and agents need to make sure that neither the vessel nor its activities cause any harm to marine plants and animals in the zone. Fishing requires approval from the Department of Fisheries Malaysia as per the Fisheries Act 1985.

The new rules also apply to waters in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore that the shipping industry commonly refers to as the Outer Port Limit (OPL). Malaysia does not recognise OPL status in waters it considers Malaysian, including parts of the two straits.

All vessels in these waters need to give reports of their activities, including anchoring, to the Malaysian Marine Department (MMD). Vessels can be boarded and inspected.

Ships that fail to provide the required MMD approval when inspected by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) may be detained.

According to a marine insurer, Gard, shipowners who fail to adhere to the guidelines could be subject to fines amounting to one million Malaysian ringgit ($245,000).

The restrictions have been in force since September 11. Shipowners and operators must follow the new rules when planning vessel movements and activities within the designated area.

References: safety4sea, north-standard