Lumut is poised for a transformative journey as a green logistics and maritime hub with the unveiling of the Lumut Maritime Industrial City (LUMIC) feasibility studies.

Authored by the Port of Antwerp-Bruges International (PoABI) and the Perak State Development Corporation (PKNPk), the EU-funded feasibility studies will provide critical insights into LUMIC's full potential to become a vital player in the global maritime and logistics landscape. The studies offer a roadmap for the transformation of Lumut Port into a multi-purpose and container port, alongside a cutting-edge green industrial and logistics complex specialising in hydrogen production, renewable energy, and sustainable manufacturing.

The initial studies delves into four critical areas on a national level, for which it formulated recommendations on connectivity, foreign direct investment (FDI), trade and cargo flow analysis, and governance. They will be followed by three Lumut-specific studies slated for early 2025.

With an expected investment of €15 billion and the creation of 55,000 jobs over a 25 to 30 year timeframe, the LUMIC project is projected to be a significant economic driver. Inspired by Antwerp's successful landlord port model, it promises to attract substantial foreign and domestic investment, fostering lasting growth and social development in the Perak region.

The LUMIC project is part of the EU's €300 billion Global Gateway investment strategy, a long-term commitment to sustainable infrastructure development. Under this initiative, the EU awarded a €1.9 million (RM9.5 million) grant to PoABI and PKNPk to jointly carry out studies to assess Malaysia’s prospects in the port and maritime sector and to provide objective data to show LUMIC’s suitability to become a cutting-edge green industrial and logistics complex.

The feasibility studies were presented by PoABI to key stakeholders including representatives from the Federal Government, the Perak state government as well as local and international industry participants in the maritime, port, logistics and industrial sectors at the "LUMIC Project: Roadmap on Connectivity in Malaysia" event held at the World Trade Centre (WTC) Kuala Lumpur on May 15.

The event brought together key stakeholders with participation from PoABI, PKNPk, EuroCham Malaysia, the EU Delegation to Malaysia, the Belgian Embassy, Perak officials, industry experts, and potential investors.

Among the guests of honour present included Belgian Ambassador to Malaysia His Excellency Peter Van Acker, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Malaysia His Excellency Dr Ivan Velimir Starcevic, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Malaysia His Excellency Juraj Koudelka, PKNPk Chief Executive Datuk Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak, PoABI Managing Director Kristof Waterschoot, EU Minister-Counsellor and Head of Cooperation for Malaysia Daniel Hachez, Eurocham Malaysia Chairman Oliver Roche and Eurocham Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Steven Rouche.