Malaysia has prohibited bunkering operations within a newly established marine sensitive area near the eastern entrance of the Malacca Strait and Singapore Strait. Vessels must comply with speed limits, and large cargo ships and oil tankers are prohibited from entering the area.

The relevant regulations were issued on September 11, 2026, through Malaysia's Exclusive Economic Zone Regulations 2026. The government introduced these regulations to protect marine life, preserve protected features, and control pollution from marine structures.

Vessels within the area must not exceed a speed of 12 knots. Large cargo ships and oil tankers with a length exceeding 300 meters and a width exceeding 40 meters are prohibited from entering the area. Except for search and rescue operations and anchoring due to damage and pollution emergencies, anchoring is prohibited in the area.

In addition, bunkering operations are also prohibited within the area. Cargo transshipment may only be carried out with written permission from the Malaysian government.

The relevant restrictions also apply to activities that may damage the seabed and other marine features, including dredging, salvage, construction of any structures, and the laying, repair, or replacement of cables and pipelines. In addition, research operations, seismic surveys, seabed mining, and resource extraction also require government authorization.

Shipowners, masters, and agents must ensure that vessels and their activities do not cause any damage to marine flora and fauna within the area. Fishing must be approved by the Malaysian Fisheries Department in accordance with the Fisheries Act 1985.

The new regulations also apply to the waters of the Malacca Strait and Singapore Strait commonly referred to in the shipping industry as the "Outer Port Limits" (OPL). For the parts that Malaysia regards as its own waters, including parts of these two straits, Malaysia does not recognize their OPL status.

All vessels in these waters must report their movements to the Malaysian Maritime Department (MMD), including anchoring, and may be subject to boarding inspections.