Malaysia Shipowners' Association (MASA)

What Malaysia Shipowners' Association (MASA) does

Malaysia Shipowners' Association (MASA) is a non-profit national industry association established in 1976 in Putrajaya, Malaysia, and is the sole recognized body representing Malaysian shipowners. It is governed by an elected Chairman and Executive Committee, currently led by Chairman Mohamed Safwan Othman (2021/2023 term) with Secretary-General Shaharuzzaman Baharum and Vice Chairman Hazrin Hasan, and is supported by a secretariat of approximately 8 staff. MASA's core services include processing Domestic Shipping License (DSL) Consent Letters — a quasi-regulatory gatekeeping function tied to Malaysia's cabotage policy — administering the MASA Seafarers' Fund (established 2008) which provides welfare support to seafarers and their dependents, delivering training programs and seminars on maritime regulations, and organizing flagship events such as the annual Malaysia World Maritime Week and the MMW24 Conference (July 30 – August 1, 2024).

The association's underlying "technology" is institutional expertise in maritime regulation, policy advocacy, and industry representation rather than any proprietary software or platform. Its competitive position rests on its exclusive mandate as the only national shipowner representative body, enabling it to engage directly with MARDEP, the Ministry of Transport Malaysia, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Federation of ASEAN Shipowners' Associations (FASA), and ASEAN MTWG meetings. The underlying industry context is material: shipping accounts for 90% of Malaysia's trade, the maritime sector contributes approximately 16% of national GDP (2017), and supports roughly 70,000 direct and indirect jobs.

MASA's revenue model is subscription-based membership dues from Ordinary and Associate members, supplemented by event and training-related income. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. The association does not sell products in the traditional sense; instead, it delivers services directly to members through its Putrajaya headquarters, its website (masa.org.my), and organized events. Its marketing reach is primarily event-driven and relies on the official website, press releases (often amplified via BERNAMA), and a Facebook presence, targeting Malaysian shipowners and, secondarily, Malaysian seafarers as a beneficiary class.

Name

Malaysia Shipowners' Association (MASA)

Legal name

Malaysia Shipowners' Association

Website

https://masa.org.my

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MASA is the sole national industry association representing Malaysian shipowners, founded in 1976 and headquartered in Putrajaya. It provides regulatory advocacy on cabotage and Domestic Shipping License policy, administers the MASA Seafarers' Fund, and runs training programs and conferences such as Malaysia World Maritime Week and MMW24.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Industry Association Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Fleet Policy, Governance & Duty-of-Care Management (TLABAIAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fleet Compliance & Regulatory Management (DOT/IFTA/ELD, Inspections) (TLABAIAB), Classification Society & Flag-State Liaison / Plan Approval Support (IMAJAGAN)

Keywords

• Maritime industry association
• Shipowner advocacy
• Shipping regulatory services
• Seafarer welfare
• Maritime training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Putrajaya

HQ country

Malaysia

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: MASA generates revenue through annual membership fees from shipowners. The association offers different membership categories including Ordinary Members and Associate Members, as evidenced by the homepage statistics display showing member counts.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Malaysia Shipowners' Association (MASA) is the sole national industry organization representing shipowners in Malaysia, providing regulatory advocacy, Domestic Shipping License (DSL) consent letter processing, seafarer welfare support through the MASA Seafarers' Fund, maritime training programs, industry conferences, and access to maritime regulations for its members.

Product overview

Malaysia Shipowners' Association (MASA) is an industry association established in 1976, not a technology product company. It provides a portfolio of member services including Domestic Shipping License Consent Letter (DCL) processing, MASA Seafarers' Fund management for assisting Malaysian seafarers, training programs and seminars on maritime regulations, and organizes major events such as the annual Malaysia World Maritime Week and MMW24 Conference. MASA also provides access to maritime regulations and circulars resources for its members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MASA Seafarers' Fund: A fund established in 2008 to assist Malaysian seafarers and their immediate dependents who through sickness, misfortune or age are in need of assistance, providing medical and surgical aid, lodging, support and clothing.

Products and services

• Domestic Shipping License Consent Letter (DCL) A consent letter service for domestic shipping licenses under the Malaysian Government policy reserving domestic goods transportation to Malaysian-registered ships. For Malaysian shipowners operating in domestic trades.
• MASA Seafarers' Fund A welfare fund established in 2008 to provide financial assistance, medical treatment support, lodging, clothing, and welfare promotion to Malaysian seafarers and their immediate dependents in need. For Malaysian seafarers, retired seafarers, and dependents including widows, widowers, and children.
• Training Programs Seminars, talks, and training programs covering maritime industry topics and the latest regulations. For MASA members and the public interested in maritime industry education.
• Malaysia World Maritime Week Annual week-long maritime event comprising conferences, dialogues, and exhibitions celebrating IMO World Maritime Day. Organized jointly with the Ministry of Transport and Marine Department. For maritime industry professionals, shipowners, and stakeholders.
• MMW24 Conference (Malaysia Maritime Week 2024) Annual maritime conference featuring sessions on safety, SOLAS regulations, green shipping, and industry networking. For maritime industry professionals, shipowners, regulators, and stakeholders.
• Membership Services Association membership providing representation, advocacy, and support for Malaysian shipowners' interests in the domestic and global shipping industry. Includes Ordinary Member and Associate Member categories. For Malaysian shipowners and maritime industry stakeholders.
• Maritime Regulations and Circulars Resource Repository of maritime regulations and circulars including general and foreign affairs categories. For MASA members needing reference material on shipping regulations.

Quantifiable outcome

• MASA facilitates government support for the shipping industry including tax exemptions under Section 54A of the Income Tax Act 1967
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Federation of ASEAN Shipowners' Association (FASA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2023MASA serves delegates of Malaysia and supports FASA at the 45th ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group (MTWG) Meeting. Both organizations share concerns regarding the implementation of Same Risk Area under the Guidelines on Risk Assessment (G7) under the Ballast Water Management Convention.
• Ministry of Transport MalaysiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2023The Malaysian delegation at the 45th ASEAN MTWG Meeting was led by Mr. Mohd Fazril bin Mohd Zubir, Principal Assistant Secretary from the Maritime Division of the Ministry of Transport Malaysia. MASA collaborates with the ministry on maritime transport policies and initiatives.
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2022MASA Chairman Mr. Mohamed Safwan Othman and Secretary General Mr. Shaharuzzaman Baharum paid a courtesy visit to IMO Secretary General Mr. Kitack Lim at IMO Headquarters in London. MASA delivered tokens of appreciation to Dr. Heiki Deggim and Dr. Jose Matheickal for their contributions as speakers at Malaysia Maritime Week 2022.
• Marine Department Malaysia (MARDEP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 January 2022MASA Chairman Mr. Mohamed Safwan Othman together with Executive Committee members paid a courtesy visit to Director-General of Marine, YBhg. Dato' Hj. Baharin Dato' Abdul Hamid at Marine Headquarters in Port Klang. Various matters were discussed including bilateral strategic cooperation in the development of Malaysia's maritime and shipping industry.
• Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIMA is part of the Malaysian delegation at ASEAN MTWG meetings and represents related agencies working on maritime transport policies. MASA collaborates with MIMA on maritime industry matters.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Hong Kong Shipowners Association: Hong Kong-based shipowners' association representing one of Asia's largest shipping hubs. Functions as a comparable national/territorial shipowner advocacy body in the Asia-Pacific region alongside MASA.
• Indian National Shipowners' Association (INSA): National shipowners' association of India with a comparable mandate to protect and promote domestic shipowners' interests. Shares cabotage-style policy advocacy challenges and Asian shipping industry dynamics with MASA.
• Federation of ASEAN Shipowners' Associations (FASA): The umbrella regional federation of which MASA is a member. FASA coordinates ASEAN-wide shipowner positions on issues like ballast water management, and MASA actively supports its work at MTWG meetings.
• Maritime Industry Australia Ltd (MIAL): Australian peak industry body for the maritime sector, advocating for shipowners and operators. Comparable to MASA in representing national shipowner interests at government and international forums.
• Japanese Shipowners' Association (JSA): One of Asia's oldest and most established shipowners' associations, representing Japanese shipping interests domestically and at the IMO. Comparable to MASA in structure but operating at much larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• International Chamber of Shipping (ICS): The principal international trade association for merchant shipowners and operators, representing over 80% of the world merchant tonnage. ICS is a global counterpart that MASA engages with on IMO-level regulatory matters.
• BIMCO: The world's largest international shipowners' association, providing standard contract templates, regulatory advocacy, and industry intelligence. BIMCO is the global-scale analog that MASA engages with through IMO and ASEAN channels.

Direct peers

• Singapore Shipping Association (SSA): National shipowners' association for Singapore, the closest regional counterpart to MASA. Both serve as the unified industry voice for shipowners, advocate on regulatory matters, and engage with regional bodies like ASEAN MTWG.

Others

• Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA): Malaysian maritime policy think tank under the Ministry of Transport that collaborates with MASA at ASEAN MTWG and on maritime industry matters. Operates in adjacent policy/research space rather than direct shipowner representation.

Emerging players

• INTERCARGO: International association representing dry cargo shipowners, focused on regulatory and technical issues at IMO. Comparable niche segmental shipowner representation that MASA interfaces with on technical standards.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/malaysia.shipowners
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/malaysiashipownersassociation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Malaysia Shipowners' Association (MASA)