[UPDATED] Malaysia's merchandise trade surpasses RM3 trillion

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's merchandise trade recently exceeded RM3 trillion, with maritime transport responsible for roughly 98 percent of the nation's international trade. Transport Minister Anthony Loke revealed that exports amounted to RM1.607 trillion, while imports totaled RM1.455 trillion, resulting in a trade surplus of RM151.8 billion.

Maritime transport plays a crucial role in Malaysia's prosperity, underlining its significance as a key trading nation. Loke emphasized during the 2026 Malaysia Maritime Week that maritime transport services facilitate goods reaching global markets, contributing more than 6.5 percent to Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP). The port of Klang continues to rank as the world's 10th-busiest container port, handling 15,138,772 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2025, a 3.4 percent increase from 2024.

This growth reflects the government's commitment to the Malaysia Maritime Transformation Plan 1.0, which prioritizes expanding port infrastructure and handling capacity to maintain Malaysia's status as a leading global maritime and logistics hub. Plans include constructing a new port on Carey Island, expanding Port Klang's Westports 2, and developing the Tanjung Pelepas Port's Phases 3 and 4, as well as the Kuantan and Kemaman port expansions.