MTT Shipping and Logistics Berhad (MTT) has been named a finalist for Best Shipping Operator at the Transports Expo Asia (TXA) Awards 2026, recognising its work in keeping goods moving between Peninsular and East Malaysia through reliable sailing schedules, efficient vessel use and a modern fleet.
For businesses that depend on regular deliveries, shipping reliability is not simply about getting a vessel from one port to another. It means knowing when goods will arrive, having access to the right routes and keeping cargo moving even when operating conditions change. These practical demands have shaped MTT’s shipping services since the company began operations in 2010.
Building Reliability into Every Sailing
MTT started with a single chartered vessel sailing from Port Klang to Kuching in November 2010. In 2011, it introduced weekly fixed-day sailings between Peninsular and East Malaysia, giving customers more predictable departure and arrival times for planning their inventory and deliveries.
The company also secured fixed berth windows at ports on both sides of the South China Sea and established its own branch offices across key locations, including Kuching, Bintulu, Miri, Tawau and Kota Kinabalu. By managing bookings, rates and schedules through its own staff, MTT built greater control over the day-to-day details that keep a shipping service running.
Its network has grown to serve 13 domestic ports and 21 regional ports. According to Liner Research Services, MTT accounted for 46% of container volume between Peninsular Malaysia, East Malaysia and Brunei in 2025.
Making Better Use of Every Voyage
One of the less visible challenges in domestic shipping is what happens after cargo reaches its destination. On routes between Peninsular and East Malaysia, more goods traditionally move eastwards than return westwards, leaving vessels with fewer loaded containers on the return journey.
MTT has worked to improve that balance. Its return-leg utilisation rate increased from 14.9% in 2022 to 37.9% in 2024, reaching 41.9% in the first four months of 2025. Making better use of available capacity helps reduce wasted space and supports more efficient operations.
The company also uses vessels designed for specific waterways, including routes with shallow waters and restrictions on vessel size. Slot exchange agreements with other shipping operators allow it to extend route coverage and offer additional sailing options without deploying its own vessels on every service. For customers, these measures help make MTT’s shipping services more adaptable to different cargo needs and port conditions.
Preparing for Long-Term Efficiency
Keeping a fleet reliable requires continued investment in maintenance, safety and environmental performance. MTT manages its own vessel maintenance, repairs, inspections and crew arrangements, while all its container vessels comply with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) requirements.
The company aims to reduce its total annual greenhouse gas emissions by 20% to 30% by 2030 and by 70% to 80% by 2040, with net zero targeted around 2050. To support its longer-term fleet development, MTT has also ordered 12 additional container vessels and two dual-fuel methanol chemical tankers.
MTT’s shortlisting as a finalist for Best Shipping Operator at the TXA Awards 2026 reflects the strength of its overall operating model. From fixed-day sailings and improved return-voyage utilisation to in-house vessel management and continued fleet investment, MTT’s shipping services demonstrate how reliable schedules and efficient operations can keep cargo moving between Peninsular and East Malaysia.
