Malaysia establishes new Marine Sensitive Area

Malaysia has established a new Marine Sensitive Area (MSA) near the eastern approaches to the Traffic Separation Scheme in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, announced through the Government of Malaysia’s Marine Sensitive Area Notice 01/2026 on 10 September 2026, effective 11 September 2026.

The MSA was established “for the protection, preservation, conservation or safety of protected features, and for the prevention, reduction and control of pollution from marine structures”.

The following requirements under MSA 01/2026 are particularly relevant to Members:

• Anchoring is not permitted within the designated MSA.

• Cargo vessels or oil tankers exceeding 300m in length and 40m in width are not permitted to enter the area.

• Vessels must not exceed 12 knots within the area.

• Cargo transfers are not permitted unless written permission has been obtained from the Government.

• Bunkering operations are not permitted within the area.

MSA 01/2026 complements the new EEZ Regulations and appears to be part of Malaysia’s wider approach to regulating the area commonly referred to by the industry as the Outer Port Limit (“OPL”). Malaysia does not recognise “OPL” status in waters it considers Malaysian, including areas in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS).

Vessel activities in these waters, including anchoring, must be reported to the Malaysian Marine Department (MMD). Vessels may also be boarded and inspected. A vessel that cannot produce the required MMD approval when boarded by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) may face detention.

The MMD has advised vessels to anchor only at designated anchorages or within established port limits.