US navy ships’ stop in Penang was routine port call, says Defence Minister

Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence has clarified that the presence of two United States Navy vessels at the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) in Pulau Pinang from March 14 to 16 was a routine port call.

Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said such port calls by foreign naval ships at Malaysian ports, have long been an established practice within the framework of defence relations and international maritime navigation.

He stressed that the visits are part of defence diplomacy efforts aimed at enhancing confidence while safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“The main purpose of a port call is to allow vessels to carry out logistical matters such as replenishment, minor maintenance, and rest for crew members,” he said in a statement.

He added that Malaysia has clear procedures and policies governing the presence of foreign naval vessels at commercial ports or naval bases. 

“Any request to dock at Malaysian ports must be submitted through official channels and is subject to approval by the Malaysian government,” he added.

Mohamed Khaled noted that such port calls occur regularly, involving naval ships from various countries, including partner nations and those transiting through Malaysian waters such as the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea.

He said these visits are often linked to bilateral or multilateral exercises, as well as international missions aimed at maintaining regional stability and global peace, in line with the Defence White Paper.

Throughout 2025, Malaysia recorded 75 port visits by foreign naval vessels from 14 countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Britain, Brunei, China, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Canada, South Korea, France, Singapore and the United States.

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