Maharani Energy Gateway (MEG), the Master Developer of Maharani Freeport, has introduced the MEG OSC (One Stop Centre) – a dedicated single-window facilitation centre to support investors aiming to establish and grow their businesses within Malaysia’s first duty-exempted energy freeport.

Serving as a central point of contact for investors, MEG OSC provides end-to-end business facilitation and advisory support, simplifying the investment journey and helping businesses navigate the regulatory, licensing and operational requirements associated with establishing a presence at Maharani Freeport  – Malaysia’s emerging energy and maritime services hub, Chiam Pei Pei, Head of MEG OSC, MEG OSC Sdn Bhd, told Manifold Times.

Under the approval of Ministry of Finance (MOF), MEG OSC is the authorised route to facilitate businesses to apply and qualify for Maharani Freeport’s incentives.

Maharani Freeport, a Malaysia National Project officially launched in November 2025 is located within the Muar Port limits along one of the world’s busiest waterways – the Straits of Malacca.

The project is expected to attract RM 144 billion (USD 35.16 billion) in investment value from global investors and forecasted to create at least 45,000 of direct and indirect jobs for the local Johor and Malaysian economy.

MEG OSC the First Point of Contact for Investors

According to Ms Chiam, MEG OSC serves as a central facilitation point between investors and key government authorities, including the MoF, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), Marine Department, local authorities and other relevant government agencies.

Through close collaboration with government agencies and professional service providers, MEG OSC is further able to provide advice on matters including but not limited to:

• Company Establishment
• Corporate Bank Account Opening
• Tax Incentives & Advisory
• Customs Compliance
• Immigration Services
• Licences and Permits
• Environmental Approvals
• Business Support Services

“This coordinated approach streamlines approvals, simplifies administration and supports businesses from establishment through ongoing operations,” stated Ms Chiam.

Special Tax Incentives for Qualifying Activities

Moving forward, Ms Chiam highlighted companies undertaking the eligible activities at Maharani Freeport can apply through MEG OSC for Special Tax Incentives, including trading of traditional energy commodities, trading of sustainable energy products, as well as maritime related activities such as floating storage, blending, bunkering, and ship-to-ship transfer operations.

In addition to the Sales and Services Tax (SST) exemption and import duty exemption on raw materials, machinery and equipment that are not available in Malaysia. MEG OSC is authorised to provide further information on such qualifying activities and Special Tax Incentives.

“These incentives apply to the operations established within the Maharani Freeport. MEG OSC (One Stop Centre) coordinates each requirement as a single-window facilitation centre, supporting investors from initial company establishment through to ongoing operation.”

For further details, readers may contact Chiam Pei Pei, Head of the One Stop Centre, below:

Mobile: +6019-318 0618
Telephone: +603 33852668
Fax: +603 33852669
Email: [email protected]

Related: Interview: Maharani Energy Gateway – Forging a new energy nexus in the Straits of Malacca
Related: New Johor bunkering hub: Maharani debuts as Malaysia’s first duty-exempted energy freeport

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 21 September 2026

With vessels operating for 25 to 30 years and only around 4% of the fleet renewed annually, newbuild decisions made over the coming decade will establish much of the engine capacity available in 2050, Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation said on Thursday (17 September). 

Yet having the capacity to consume a new fuel does not guarantee its uptake. Dual-fuel engines allow shipowners to switch between conventional fuels and the selected new fuel as economics and regulations evolve; continued fuel competitiveness is therefore critical to what vessels ultimately consume.

These are among the findings of Navigating the maritime fuel transition: How fuel economics, regulations, and fleet decisions shape the future bunkering landscape, based on a model jointly developed by the GCMD and Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

The model illustrates this dynamic in its base scenario. With the Tier-2 penalty under the IMO Net-Zero Framework held at USD 380/tCO2e through 2050, methanol dual-fuel engines account for around 10% of fleet engine capacity in 2050, but methanol represents just 2% of fleet energy consumption. With conventional fuels remaining more economical under this regulatory regime, methanol dual-fuel vessels continue to operate on fuels cheaper than methanol (Figure 1).

A global carbon price of USD 700/tCO2e materially changes the transition

The base scenario demonstrates how fuel economics can limit uptake even when vessels have the capacity to use new fuels. This picture changes if the IMO Tier-2 penalty rises to USD 700/tCO2e by 2050, at which point new fuels, including dropins, reach approximately 61% of fleet energy consumption (Figure 1).

By contrast, EU regulations alone will not drive a marked global shift, as they cover only around 20% of international shipping’s energy demand.

Overall cost of using e-methanol and e-ammonia is near parity

While a stronger global carbon price can accelerate the shift towards new fuels, the model does not point to a clear cost winner between e-methanol and e-ammonia.

E-ammonia’s production cost advantage is largely offset by higher logistics costs arising from its toxicity, including specialised crew training, larger exclusion zones, and more complex bunkering. As a result, the overall cost (Figure 2) of using e-ammonia and e-methanol is near parity through to 2050.

Professor Lynn Loo, CEO of GCMD, said: “Many vessels ordered over the coming decade will still be operating in 2050. Shipowners are therefore making long-lived engine choices before the relative economics of future fuels are clear. 

“Our modelling puts into perspective just how difficult closing the cost gap between new and conventional fuels will be. The carbon price required to close this gap is substantial. And achieving it will be particularly challenging in today’s geopolitical environment. Understanding the signposts that could change these economics will be critical to the decisions the industry makes today.”

Anand Veeraraghavan, Managing Director & Senior Partner at BCG, said: “The maritime fuel transition is being shaped as much by policy and cost uncertainty as by technology readiness. 

“Rather than offer a single prediction, our approach with GCMD maps how sensitive each fuel pathway’s competitive position is to a handful of critical variables — policy scenarios, key cost drivers, and potential restrictions. Our hope is that this gives shipowners, fuel suppliers, port operators, and infrastructure investors a practical tool to stress-test their own fuel strategies as conditions change.”

Photo credit: Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
Published: 18 September, 2026

Taiwanese shipping firm Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation (Yang Ming) on Thursday (17 September) held a naming ceremony at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, for YM Weight, the fourth vessel in its series of five 15,500 TEU-class LNG dual-fuel container vessels built by HD HHI. 

Mrs. Chiu-Lien Lin, the spouse of Administrative Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications Mr. Kuo-Shian Lin, was invited as the Godmother to officially name the vessel and perform the ceremonial cord-cutting, wishing the ship smooth sailing and full loading on all future voyages. 

This series of vessels built by HD HHI has a length overall (LOA) of 364.97 meters, a breadth of 51 meters, and a capacity of approximately 15,600 TEU. 

The vessels are equipped with high-pressure dual-fuel main engines that run on both LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil, along with integrated navigational information, equipment monitoring, broadband maritime satellite systems, and multiple energy-saving systems to enhance operational efficiency and navigational safety. 

YM Weight, the fourth vessel in the series, is jointly classed by CR and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), bringing international classification expertise and capabilities to safeguard the safety and technical compliance of next-generation LNG dual-fuel vessels. 

Furthermore, following proactive underwater noise measurements, the vessel has achieved two industry firsts by receiving the Underwater Noise (UWN) notation from ABS and the Underwater Radiated Noise (URN) notation from CR. The dual recognitions underscore Yang Ming’s commitment to mitigate operational impact on marine life and sustainable development. 

In addition to expanding its next-generation fleet and strengthening its core shipping business, Yang Ming has continued to strengthen professional training for seafarers operating alternative-fuel vessels. 

Yang Ming’s senior Captain Ming-Yeong Pan will serve as the delivery captain of ‘YM Weight’. Captain Pan is the first seafarer in Taiwan to receive the Advanced Training Certificate under the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), Certificate No. 0001, issued by the Maritime and Port Bureau, MOTC. 

To date, 148 Yang Ming officers have completed advanced IGF Code training and will progressively undertake onboard training aboard LNG-fueled vessels and practical alternative-fuel bunkering training. 

Photo credit: Yang Ming Marine Transport
Published: 18 September, 2026