KUALA NERUS – Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) continues to strengthen its role as a marine-focused university when by becoming the pioneering institution in the Malaysia Logistics Consortium (MLC).

The MLC launch ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education Datuk Ts. Mustapha Sakmud during the Higher Education Institutions–Industry Summit (HEIS) held in conjunction with the Festival of Ideas (FOI) 2025 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).

This initiative serves as a catalyst to enhance collaboration between higher education institutions and industries through impactful research, technology transfer, and talent development in the logistics and supply chain sectors.

UMT Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri Ibrahim stated that UMT’s leading role in this prestigious consortium demonstrates the university’s capability to leverage its expertise in maritime and logistics to meet the nation’s strategic needs.

“The MLC, or MRI3: Logistics Consortium, is a strategic initiative under the MOHE Research and Industry-Infused Incubator (MRI3) coordinated by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE).

“UMT possesses distinctive strengths in academic expertise, research capacity, laboratory facilities, and state-of-the-art equipment that support the development of innovative solutions for the logistics and maritime sectors.

“Through the MLC, we are not only strengthening the collaboration network between universities, industries, and government agencies but also contributing to the national agenda of enhancing supply chain efficiency and maritime logistics security,” he said.

He added that UMT currently has world-class research and operational facilities such as the Marine Operations Centre (MOC), the Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS) Instrumentation Centre, the Automation and Data Analytics Laboratory, and smart logistics simulation facilities, all of which play a vital role in developing data-driven and automation-based technological solutions.

As a university focused on marine and aquatic resources, UMT is well-positioned to contribute significantly to maritime logistics, port management, smart transportation, and green logistics, in alignment with Malaysia’s sustainable development goals.

“We aim to ensure that Malaysia remains competitive in the regional logistics sector. Therefore, UMT’s research will continue to focus on the development of smart technologies that enhance port operational efficiency, fleet management, and reduce carbon emissions across the logistics supply chain,” Prof. Zamri explained.

He added that participation in the MRI3: Logistics Consortium not only reinforces UMT’s position as the nation’s premier maritime research university, but also provides students and researchers with greater opportunities for industrial training, collaborative research, and direct technology transfer with industry players.

UMT’s active participation in the Malaysia Logistics Consortium cements its position as a leading higher education institution in developing a sustainable, competitive, and technology-driven national logistics ecosystem, in line with the aspirations of the Ministry of Higher Education and the Government of Malaysia to strengthen the logistics sector as a key driver of economic growth and the implementation of the Malaysia Blue Economy Agenda 2050.