The Maritime Strategic Association of Malaysia (MASTRA) and the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA) formalised their commitment to maritime collaboration with the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) on 29 May 2025. The ceremony was held at MIMA’s headquarters in Menara HLX, Kuala Lumpur.

At the time of signing, MASTRA was represented by its then-President, First Admiral (Rtd) Dato Dr. Ir. Haji Ahmad Murad Omar, who was accompanied by Hj Mazlan Manaf, then the Deputy President of MASTRA. (Hj. Mazlan now serves as President of MASTRA, while Dato Murad continues to advise  the association as an Exco member.)

Representing MIMA were its Chairman, Dato' Mohamed Suffian Awang, and Director of Research, Associate Professor Eur. Ing. Ts. Ir. Dr. Syuhaida Ismail.

The LOI establishes a framework for strategic cooperation in advancing Malaysia’s maritime sector, focusing on areas such as maritime research, knowledge exchange, training, and capacity-building. Both parties highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in shaping policy, cultivating industry expertise, and enhancing engagement across maritime stakeholders.

This partnership is set to pave the way for impactful joint initiatives aligned with national maritime priorities, aimed at fostering innovation and contributing to the long-term sustainable growth of the industry.