Chart Her Course 2026 Opens Maritime World in KL

2026-05-20

One of Kuala Lumpur’s most iconic heritage buildings has been transformed into an immersive maritime showcase as CHART HER COURSE: 2026 brings the global shipping industry closer to the public.

Held from 19 to 25 May 2026 at Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, the experience is led by MISC Group and aims to introduce Malaysians to the scale, technology, and career opportunities shaping the maritime sector.

The initiative also highlights how the maritime industry continues playing a major role in global trade, energy movement, and economic growth despite often remaining invisible to the public.

Bringing the Maritime Industry Into Public View

The exhibition reimagines the historic building through interactive installations, digital simulations, and immersive storytelling designed to introduce visitors to life at sea and maritime operations.

Guests can walk through a mirrored coral tunnel, explore command centre simulations, and experience realistic navigation environments inspired by global shipping routes.

Rather than focusing only on logistics, the showcase positions maritime as a long-term economic foundation supporting global supply chains, trade, and energy distribution.

Global Industry Faces Talent Shortage

A major theme of the exhibition is the growing demand for maritime talent worldwide.

According to the BIMCO/ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2021, the global industry could face a shortage of 89,000 maritime officers by 2026.

For Malaysia, the shortage presents opportunities for young talent to enter a sector tied to international careers, leadership pathways, and growing demand for technical expertise.

The programme also highlights the maritime sector’s future role in sustainability, with millions of green maritime jobs expected globally by 2050.

Spotlight on Women in Maritime

Held alongside the International Day for Women in Maritime, the initiative also reflects MISC’s focus on workforce diversity and talent development through Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM).

ALAM has played an important role in producing maritime professionals, including Malaysia’s first female captains.

Today, female cadet participation at ALAM stands at 11.15%, significantly higher than the global seafaring average of around one to two percent.

The showcase positions diversity and inclusion as increasingly important parts of the maritime industry’s future workforce development.

Connecting Malaysians With Future Careers

Beyond the technology and installations, CHART HER COURSE: 2026 is ultimately designed to encourage Malaysians to view maritime as a modern, innovation-driven career path.

Students, parents, and visitors are invited to explore how the industry connects engineering, digital transformation, sustainability, and global business opportunities.

As industries worldwide compete for future talent, programmes like this are becoming increasingly important in helping younger generations discover sectors they may not normally consider.