Business

New Johor bunkering hub: Maharani debuts as Malaysia’s first duty-exempted energy freeport

Located within Muar Port limits, the freeport is already operational and conducting oil trading, storage, transhipment, blending and mixing, as well as facilitating other services such as bunkering and STS transfers.

Published

8 months ago

December 2, 2025

Admin

New Johor bunkering hub: Maharani debuts as Malaysia's first duty-exempted energy freeport

Maharani Freeport, Malaysia’s first duty-exempted energy freeport designed to be the nation’s energy and maritime services hub, was officially launched on Saturday (29 November) by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim King of Malaysia.

Developed by Maharani Energy Gateway Sdn. Bhd. (MEG) as a one-stop centre for global oil trade in the Strait of Malacca, the deepwater freeport is a fully private-sector initiative supported by both the Federal Government and the Johor State Government.

Designated as a National Project, Maharani Freeport underscores its strategic role in advancing Malaysia’s long-term economic, trade and energy ambitions.

Located within the Muar Port limits along the Strait of Malacca, the world’s largest oil shipping route, Maharani Freeport positions Malaysia alongside other major global freeports.

In the long term, Maharani Freeport is expected to attract RM144 billion in investment value from global investors and generate a significant multiplier effect for the local Johor and Malaysian economy.

Speaking at the launch, Datuk Dr Daing A Malek, Executive Chairman of MEG, said the event marked a historic milestone for Muar, Johor and Malaysia.

“Maharani Freeport is a bold and transformative project. Our goal is to raise living standards, create new opportunities and anchor Johor as a driver of Malaysia’s economic future.

“It is expected to generate hundreds of new high-value companies, and when combined with the supporting industries, this initiative is forecasted to create at least 45,000 of direct and indirect jobs, and uplift local businesses in logistics, ship repair, construction and services,” he said.

He added that Maharani Freeport is already operational.

“It is not just an aspiration or a vision for the future. It is already doing business, conducting oil trading, storage, transhipment, blending and mixing, and facilitating other services such as bunkering, marine, deep seaport, floating storage unit, ship-to-ship transfer for our customers and partners,” he said.

The launch ceremony was graced by the attendance of over 1,500 guests including HRH Tunku Ismail ibni Sultan Ibrahim, the Regent of Johor, members of the Johor Royal Family, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, ambassadors and high commissioners from more than 30 countries, senior federal and state government officials and members of the local and international business community.

The Maharani Freeport masterplan spans 3,200 acres of reclaimed land across three man-made islands and comprises four major components: Maharani Energy Hub; Maharani Deep Seaport; Maharani Freeport Industrial Park; and Maharani Freeport Financial Hub.

It will be a one-stop hub in the Strait of Malacca, from oil trading, storage and blending to deep-seaport capabilities, bunkering and ship maintenance. Its 24-metre natural depth enables the berthing of Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) and other large vessels, providing a secure and cost-efficient alternative for maritime operators.

Other planned facilities include petrochemical complexes, renewable energy production, STS operations, floating storage units, shipbuilding and repair yards, and digital platforms powered by AI and blockchain.

Maharani Freeport delivers a comprehensive service ecosystem coupled with significant operational cost efficiencies driven by its robust tax incentive structure that includes zero corporate tax and conducive foreign participation policies for businesses that are registered within the Freeport. For those in the oil trade and related activities, the low 3% corporate tax rate is among the most competitive in the region.

Photo credit: Prime Minister’s Office of Malaysia
Published: 2 December, 2025

Winding up

Singapore: Liquidator of Nan Shan Maritime Pte Ltd issues notice of dividend

Third interim dividend to admitted unsecured claims of Nan Shan Maritime is payable from 15 July, according to Government Gazette notice.

Published

5 hours ago

July 16, 2026

Admin

A notice of dividend for Nan Shan Maritime Pte Ltd, which is currently in creditors’ voluntary liquidation, was published on the Government Gazette on Wednesday (15 July).

The following are the details of the notice:

Name of Company : Nan Shan Maritime (Pte.) Ltd.(In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)
Unique Entity No. / Registration No. : 201701967H
Address of Registered Office : 10 Anson Road, #10-10, International Plaza, Singapore 079903
Amount per centum : 5.00 Per Centum of all admitted unsecured, claims
First and Final or Otherwise : Third Interim
When Payable : 15 July 2026
Where Payable : Entitlements will be made by way of cheque.

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 16 July, 2026

Biofuel

DP World invests in Hapag-Lloyd biofuel-based carbon inset programme

Firm’s Americas ocean freight division will invest USD 1 million in Hapag-Lloyd’s Ship Green product and the investment will fund use of certified waste-based biofuels in place of conventional marine fuels.

Published

5 hours ago

July 16, 2026

Admin

Hapag-Lloyd and DSV sign 18,000 tonnes CO₂e decarbonisation deal

DP World on Tuesday (14 July) said its Americas ocean freight division will invest USD 1 million in Hapag-Lloyd’s Ship Green product under a new agreement that will enable customers to reduce ocean freight shipment emissions through verified carbon insets.

The investment, which will be made over the next four quarters, is expected to avoid 4,762 metric tonnes (mt) of CO₂ using certified waste-based biofuels.

The investment will fund the use of certified waste-based biofuels in place of conventional marine fuels. These fuels can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 84% compared with conventional marine fuels.

The emissions savings are calculated on a well-to-wake basis, meaning they account for the full lifecycle of the fuel, from production to use onboard the vessel.

Unlike traditional carbon offsetting, which compensates for emissions after they occur, Hapag-Lloyd’s Ship Green product enables carbon “insetting” – reducing emissions directly within the ocean freight supply chain. By replacing conventional marine fuels with certified waste-based biofuels, the product delivers measurable emissions reductions that are independently tracked and allocated to participating customer shipments.

Through this agreement, DP World will offer customers of its Americas ocean freight business verified carbon inset solutions that help reduce the emissions associated with their ocean freight shipments, supporting their broader supply chain decarbonization goals.

Terry Donohoe, Senior Vice President of Freight Forwarding for DP World in the Americas, said: “This partnership reflects how we are evolving our ocean freight business to deliver both commercial resilience and measurable sustainability outcomes. By working closely with Hapag-Lloyd, we’ve created a solution that not only advances our decarbonization ambitions but also generates tangible value for our customers through verified emissions reductions. It’s a strong example of how collaboration across the supply chain can unlock practical, scalable pathways to lower-carbon trade.”

This agreement reinforces DP World’s commitment to advancing sustainable trade and expanding practical, customer-focused solutions that help accelerate decarbonization across the global logistics value chain.

Photo credit: DP World
Published: 16 July, 2026

Alternative Fuels

Maersk scales up 100% ethanol bunker fuel trial in Barcelona

Following successful trials on dual-fuel feeder vessel Laura Maersk, the company scaled up and bunkered its large dual-fuel vessel, “Antonia Maersk”, with 100% ethanol at APM Terminals Barcelona.

Published

5 hours ago

July 16, 2026

Admin

Maersk scales up 100% ethanol bunker fuel trial in Barcelona

Shipping giant A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) on Wednesday (15 July) it is continuing to explore ethanol as a marine fuel for the future and has scaled up its 100% ethanol bunker trials.

Following successful trials on dual-fuel feeder vessel Laura Maersk, the company scaled up and bunkered its large dual-fuel vessel, Antonia Maersk, with 100% ethanol on 9 July at APM Terminals Barcelona at Port of Barcelona.

“Drawing on our experience with methanol, we are working with port authorities and partners to establish the infrastructure and operational procedures needed to support ethanol bunkering at key ports,” the company said in a social media post.

Ethanol is one of several pathways Maersk is exploring to diversify its low-emission fuel portfolio, with the ambition of enabling rapid uptake and helping create a new liquid marine fuel market.

“Realising this ambition will require both continued investment across the value chain and the development of supportive regulatory frameworks,” it said.

Manifold Times previously reported Maersk reporting that Laura Maersk successfully operated on 100% ethanol for a second time.

The first trial, conducted in October and November last year, involved a 10% ethanol / 90% e-methanol blend and confirmed that ethanol can be safely and effectively integrated into the fuel mix. The test underscores the potential to create greater optionality for Maersk’s dual-fuel methanol fleet, essentially enabling dual fuel alcohol vessels.

Later, the company blended 50% ethanol with 50% methanol in a test onboard the vessel Laura Maersk before working its way up to 100% ethanol.