M’sia keen to host next Seatrade Asia talks

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has expressed interest in hosting the Seatrade Cruise Asia 2026 to demonstrate its commitment to promote the cruise industry as a potential economic catalyst for the country, said the Transport Ministry.

Its minister Anthony Loke, who is the first Malaysian transport minister to attend the annual Seatrade Cruise Global 2024 in Miami, Florida, had announced its interest at the four-day conference which started on April 8.

“The minister has also conveyed Malaysia’s seriousness to become a major cruise destination at the conference,” the ministry said in a statement yesterday.

Seatrade Cruise Global 2024 drew cruise professionals from 80 cruise line brands representing 120 countries.

Loke also invited cruise ship operators attending the conference to leverage Malaysia’s cruise port infrastructure, including the Langkawi Cruise Terminal, Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal in Penang, Port Klang Cruise Terminal, Malacca International Cruise Terminal, as well as several ports in Sabah and Sarawak.

The ministry said the cruise industry can assist in the development of green supply chains in Malaysia, including shore power and green bunkering, in line with the target of achieving net-zero emissions under the International Maritime Organisation’s strategy on deduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships.

The ministry is also closely collaborating with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry to position Malaysia as a selected homeport destination in the Asia-Pacific region.

“This collaboration is established considering the rapid growth in cruise tourism demand in China and the emerging trend in India.

“The cultural diversity of Malaysia and the Asean region can offer an attractive vacation experience to tourists from China and India,” the statement read.

The ministry is optimistic that the rapid growth of cruise tourism will have a positive impact on the economy through retail, food and beverage, and hospitality sectors in the country, it added.