KUALA LUMPUR — The government will assist Malaysian vessels stranded in the Middle East due to the risk of attacks should they continue sailing, amid the ongoing conflict between the United States (US), Israel and Iran that has affected maritime movement in the Strait of Hormuz.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the government is closely monitoring the situation and taking proactive steps to mitigate potential disruptions to Malaysia’s maritime and trade operations.
“Based on past experience, such crises often cause port congestion in our country, as containers bound for conflict areas are abandoned by shipping companies. This consequently disrupts daily import and export operations and, in turn, affects our factories,” he said in a statement shared on his Facebook page today.
According to Loke, the government will facilitate the relocation of empty containers from port areas.
Meanwhile, port management will conduct thorough inspections to ensure that containers with unclear destinations are not unloaded at Malaysian ports.
“MOT also acknowledges the fuel cost challenges faced by our ports and will work together to establish mechanisms to address such issues during times of crisis,” he added.
Earlier, the Malaysian Marine Department (MMD) advised all Malaysian-registered vessels and local shipping companies to avoid transiting through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice.
“Ship operators are also advised to continuously monitor maritime security advisories issued by relevant international authorities and ensure vessels and crew maintain the highest level of operational preparedness at all times,” it said in a statement today.
According to a report by Seatrade Maritime News, about 138 to 147 container ships are currently stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing war. – March 10, 2026