In the lead up to the Transport Expo Asia (TXA) Awards 2026 last 22 October 2026, the Adjudication Panel for inaugural edition of the Awards shortlisted five finalists to be in the running for the Transport Innovator of the Year category. Held at the Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at Midtown, it was a gala dinner night to remember, as industry players gathered to witness what the future of transport looked like.
The event was part of the larger Transport Expo Asia event, hosted by the Ministry of Transport Malaysia, to become Malaysia’s premier platform for next-generation transportation and supply chain innovation. The 2026 edition saw 410 participating companies from 23 nations, held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) from 20 to 22 October 2026.
The finalists for Transport Innovator for the Year at the TXA Awards 2026 were:
- ANSA Digital: The Kuala Lumpur-based systems integrator and technology company has been developing innovative digital platforms for government agencies and businesses. Its work spans two key initiatives: a streamlined digital insurance renewal journey under Cermat MADANI, and a telematics solution for commercial vehicles designed to enhance driver safety and road operations. Following successful testing, the telematics system has progressed to real-world deployment, with the technology now installed and operating on commercial vehicles on Malaysian roads.
- GKN Engine Systems Component Repair Sdn Bhd: The Johor-based, Malaysian subsidiary of GKN Aerospace, specialises in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of aircraft engine components. Thanks to technology, automation, robotics and digitalisation, the company has successfully increased their productivity and significantly reduced downtime in their maintenance pipeline, which in turn enables key industry equipment to return to service sooner. By implementing a “repair first, replace when necessary” mindset, it allows the company to be smarter and more sustainable with in their operations.
- Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB): KTMB’s innovation is one of digitalisation via KITS Style. Build on a Mobility as a Service (MaaS) model, KTMB calls it Malaysia’s first digital lifestyle app from a rail operator, giving commuters a one-stop access to ticketing, trip bookings, bill payments and even to partner businesses to purchase products directly through a single app.
- Penang Port Commission (PPC): Penang’s port authority, regulator and landowner has put forth three main innovations, namely, the Digital Port Pass (DPP), the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS), and e-PDCFZ. The DPP reduces the time to get a port pass from six to eight hours to under one hour, its introduction also making PPC the first to implement facial recognition in Asia at its ports. VTMS and e-PDCFZ are newer but still highly effective systems. The former provides stronger navigational safety while the latter enables faster systemic approvals for port processes.
- Railway Assets Corporation (RAC): As a statutory body under the Ministry of Transport, RAC has undertaken initiatives towards long-term optimisation of existing railway assets. Its Rolling Stock Strategy involves leasing back locomotives in order to reduce large upfront purchases for fixed, long-term payments while still maintaining fleet availability. The same concept is applied to railway land, turning underutilised land into commercial and community spaces.
The Transport Innovator of the Year category recognises organisations who have effectively implemented and utilised new technology, systems, or processes that have transformed the way their operations work. Not just that, their innovations also should be more widely applicable to the transport industry as a whole, as true pioneers of innovations that push the industry forward. Penang Port Commission was selected as a winner as a result, as its digitalisation efforts have demonstrated clear shifts and improvements in operational capability.
“Digitalisation is the way forward, and is how we can innovate and get ourselves moving for the industry as a whole. To the team, this award is for us,”
Congratulations once again to our winner and finalists for the TXA Awards 2026 Transport Innovator of the Year category! The next edition of both the expo and the awards will be in 2028. Transport Expo Asia 2026 was organised by Alpine Integrated Solution while the TXA Awards 2026 was curated by the IBR Asia Group.
