Emerging Technologies Could Unlock New Opportunities For Malaysia’s Blue Economy - Experts

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- Emerging technologies such as Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), wind-powered hydrogen production and green maritime solutions could open new opportunities for Malaysia’s Blue Economy, according to experts from Malaysia and Japan.

Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) said beyond renewable power generation, OTEC could support applications in green hydrogen production, seawater cooling, aquaculture and other high-value industries.

It said experts also highlighted opportunities in regenerative marine tourism and greener shipping, alongside stronger Malaysia-Japan scientific and technological collaboration to advance these solutions. 

Prof Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Jaafar, an ASM fellow and OTEC research fellow at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), stated that cooperation between Malaysia and Japan could speed up the progress of OTEC development.

“Malaysia has significant potential to develop OTEC as part of its Blue Economy.

“By combining Malaysia’s ocean resources with Japan’s technological expertise and experience, we can accelerate the transition from research and demonstration towards commercially viable applications,” he said.

Abu Bakar said this during the Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy (STIE) Symposium 2026, organised by the JSPS Alumni Association of Malaysia (JAAM), ASM and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), here today.

Echoing Abu Bakar, Professor Emeritus of the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Prof Dr Kazuo Nadaoka emphasised the importance of integrating ecological restoration with local economic and community development.

“The Blue Economy cannot be advanced in isolation from the communities and ecosystems that sustain it.

“Regenerative marine tourism offers a pathway to connect reef restoration with local livelihoods and economic value, while developing approaches that can be adapted across island communities,” he said.

The symposium brought together researchers, experts and stakeholders from Malaysia and Japan to examine how science, technology and innovation can support a more sustainable and resilient Blue Economy. 

ASM said the knowledge exchange featured leading voices from Malaysia and Japan, with perspectives spanning science, policy and emerging technologies. 

-- BERNAMA