Malaysia Road Freight Transport - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

The e-commerce sector in Malaysia experienced a YoY growth of 2.98% in 2022, which drove the growth of the market

• In 2022, the export-oriented industries, which comprised 69.2% of the manufacturing sector, grew by 7.1%, while the domestic-oriented industries increased by 10.3%. Exports of manufactured goods rose by 22% YoY in 2022, boosted by exports of electrical and electronic products, which rose by 30%. In 2023, the domestic manufacturing sector is estimated to grow by 3.9% on account of expansion in all sub-sectors. Export-centric industries were expected to grow steadily, with the electronics and electrical segment continuing to drive growth in the sector.
• In the coming years, the country aims to increase domestic production using technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and precision farming to reduce import dependency. Over the next 2-7 years, Malaysia aims to raise fish production from aquaculture from 26% of total fish production to 60%, which is expected to boost the agriculture, fishing, and forestry end-user segment. Moreover, an increase in exploration and production activities is expected to drive the oil and gas, mining, and quarrying end-user segment.

Malaysia Road Freight Transport Market Trends

Malaysia's transportation and storage sector experienced 33.42% YoY growth in 2022, despite USD 7.25 million FDI deficit

• The Belt and Road Initiative is driving Malaysia's infrastructure growth. The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) seeks to improve connectivity between Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang in the East Coast with Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, and Putrajaya in the West Coast. These areas currently lack complete railway connections. The ECRL is forecasted to boost Malaysia's economic growth by up to 2.7%. Furthermore, two decades after its construction, Malaysia's economic growth is expected to reach 4.6%. The ECRL project is set to finish by December 2026 and is expected to start operating in January 2027.
• The MRT3 is the last critical route to complete the Kuala Lumpur urban rail network; the line is 50.8 km long and runs around Kuala Lumpur's outskirts. Its construction began in early 2023 and is slated for full completion by 2030, while operations for the first phase are anticipated to commence in 2028. Through East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), a double-track railway linking infrastructure project, which includes 20 stations, began in 2017, with 14 passenger stations, five combined passenger and freight stations, and one freight station.

Elimination of Diesel subsidies under discussions, in order to align retail fuel prices to align with market rates

• Starting in June 2024, Malaysia plans to eliminate diesel subsidies, allowing retail prices to align with the market rate of MYR 3.35 (USD 0.75) per litre, marking a 55% increase from MYR 2.15 (USD 0.48). Despite potential political consequences, this change is projected to have minimal impact on the country's inflation rate. In 2023, diesel subsidies amounted to MYR 14.5 billion (USD 3.28 billion), and the government anticipates saving approximately MYR 4 billion (USD 0.90 billion) annually through this Subsidy Rationalization. Diesel subsidies in the country amount to MYR 1 billion (USD 0.22 billion) monthly, with daily losses from leaks totaling MYR 4.5 million (USD 1.02 million).
• Diesel prices in Malaysia surged by over 50% in June 2024 as part of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's efforts to reform the country's long-standing fuel subsidy system. The restructuring aimed to alleviate pressure on national finances by eliminating universal energy subsidies and focusing assistance on those most in need. This move also aims to address issues like the smuggling of subsidized diesel to neighboring countries, where it fetches higher prices.

Malaysia Road Freight Transport Industry Overview

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