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Kota Kinabalu: Moyog Assemblyman Datuk Donald Peter Mojuntin (pic) proposed the establishment of a Sabah Maritime Academy to create high-paying jobs for Sabahans and place the State as Borneo’s leading maritime training hub.

“Sabah has the coastline, ports and industry but lacks a training institution to produce enough ship officers and marine engineers,” he said.

“The question is why, until today, Sabah still does not have an internationally recognised maritime academy,” he said when debating the Sabah Ports Authority (Amendment) Enactment 2026 Bill, Wednesday.

He said many young Sabahans wanting to pursue maritime careers are forced to study in Peninsular Malaysia or overseas at high cost, with some giving up on their ambitions as a result.

Citing the 2026 Seafarer Workforce Report by the Baltic and International Maritime Council and the International Chamber of Shipping, he said the global shipping industry faces a shortage of about 39,100 certified ship officers, with demand for more than 113,000 additional officers expected by 2030.

“This proves that demand for maritime labour is high, sustained and long-term. This is an opportunity Sabah cannot afford to miss,” he said.

He said graduates of maritime diploma courses can start their careers earning around RM5,000 a month, with senior officers and ship captains able to earn tens of thousands of Ringgit depending on the vessel and route.

He proposed the academy be set up through a public-private partnership, with the Sabah Ports Authority providing a site and connecting the academy with industry, while private investors could include shipping companies and financial institutions.

He said it should be built near a major port such as Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Lahad Datu or Tawau for practical training with industry.

“Sabah cannot just be a consumer of the blue economy. Sabah must be a leader,” he said, noting that Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia already have their own maritime academies.

He called on the State Government to give policy approval for the academy, mandate the Sabah Ports Authority to lead a feasibility study, form a steering committee under the State Industry, Entrepreneurship and Transport Ministry and seek Federal Government support under the 13th Malaysia Plan for training and scholarships.