Labuan Port Authority, Labuan Corp, Megah Port Join Hands To Boost Cruise Tourism
By Jailani Hasan
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- Labuan Port Authority (LPA), Labuan Corporation and Megah Port Management Sdn Bhd (MPM) have joined forces to strengthen cruise tourism development in Labuan, leveraging their respective expertise to attract more cruise liners to the island.
The collaboration was formalised through the exchange of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), witnessed by Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) today, in conjunction with Transport Expo Asia 2026.
The MoU was among 17 memoranda of understanding and memoranda of agreement (MoAs) presented at the event.
LPA general manager Mizool Amir Mat Drus said the MoU marked a journey towards stronger collaboration and a new industry venture that could complement Labuan's tourism sector.
He expressed confidence in MPM’s capability as the port operator to handle cruise liners, adding that the collaboration would bring together the strengths of the respective parties to support the growth of cruise tourism.
“The collaboration brings together the port authority, Perbadanan Labuan and the port operator to strengthen cruise-related services and generate wider economic opportunities for the island,” he told Bernama in a statement today.
Labuan Corp chief executive officer Rithuan Ismail said Section 4 of the Labuan Corporation Act 2001 provided for the coordination of activities among government agencies and the private sector in the interest of Labuan's development.
He said Labuan Corp welcomed private-sector initiatives, including those by MPM and its sister company, Sailion Shipping Sdn Bhd, to develop the cruise industry.
Rithuan said the agency would continue to improve the island’s facilities and tourism infrastructure to enhance its appeal to visitors.
He said Labuan’s recognition by the Malaysia Book of Records for its Kuraman Island sandbar, recognised as the longest natural and the longest exposed sandbar in Malaysia, also demonstrated the island's potential to diversify its tourism products.
Meanwhile, MPM managing director Datuk Seri Patrick Tiong said the company was fully prepared to handle cruise liner arrivals in Labuan.
He said Sailion Shipping would continue its efforts to convince cruise operators to include Labuan as a transit destination in their future itineraries.
“We are ready, as we have the expertise and network to support cruise operations,” he said.
Sailion Shipping handles cruise liners at major ports across the country, providing industry experience and networks that could support the development of cruise tourism in Labuan.
-- BERNAMA