ISTANBUL – Turkish shipbuilder DESAN has signed a joint venture and cooperation agreement to establish a shipyard in Malaysia, strengthening defense and maritime cooperation between the two countries.
According to a statement from the company, the partnership was formed with the integrated development zone created by the State of Malacca, known as the Straits of Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone (SM-WEZ). The signing ceremony was held in Istanbul with the participation of DESAN Shipyard Chairman of the Board Cenk İsmail Kaptanoğlu.
Under the project, DESAN and its local partner will launch a shipyard construction initiative to carry out new shipbuilding, maintenance, repair and modernization activities for both military and commercial vessels.
The facility is planned to be built on a total area of 171 decares, with 94 decares allocated for the first phase and 77 decares for the second phase. Engineering studies have already begun, while bathymetric measurements and geotechnical surveys have been completed. Construction is expected to start in the first months of 2026, with the shipyard targeted to become operational within two years.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of the shipyard was previously signed on May 20, 2025, during a ceremony held as part of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2025).
“We have raised the bar higher”
In his remarks included in the statement, DESAN Shipyard Chairman Cenk İsmail Kaptanoğlu said that the signing of the second Multi-Purpose Patrol Ship (MPMS 2) construction project with Malaysia the previous day was a “source of pride” reflecting the work carried out and the trust built between the parties.
Drawing strength from this achievement, Kaptanoğlu said DESAN had set its next goal as implementing its first overseas shipyard investment in Malaysia’s State of Malacca.
“The new shipbuilding, maintenance, repair and modernization projects that we will undertake in Malaysia with our local partner will create a strong foundation for a long-term and sustainable industrial partnership based on knowledge and technology transfer and mutual capacity building,” he said. “We believe that both developments will further deepen the strategic cooperation between Türkiye and Malaysia and contribute lasting value to the regional maritime ecosystem.”
Source: Anadolu Ajansı/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök