In mid-December 2025, Brunei’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPABD) unveiled its “Navigating 2030” Five-Year Strategic Plan (2026–2030), signaling a significant shift in national economic strategy toward modernizing its maritime and port sectors. The plan, aligned with Wawasan Brunei 2035 objectives, sets out five pillars prioritized around maritime safety, security, environmental stewardship, economic diversification, workforce development, innovation, and regional leadership. This reflects Brunei’s intent to transform its ports and maritime services from traditional support functions into dynamic drivers of trade, investment, and sustainable growth. The plan has several initiatives: port upgrades, enhanced logistics services, and digitalization of maritime processing, which could reduce freight times and costs for U.S.–Brunei/ASEAN shipping routes.
At a broader level, Brunei’s strategic focus reinforces the importance of the ASEAN maritime corridor within global supply chains. Enhanced port infrastructure and service quality may attract regional distribution centers and trade hubs, making Brunei a more attractive node for goods flowing between Southeast Asia and markets like the U.S. While Brunei’s domestic market is relatively small, its upgraded port ecosystem could serve as a gateway for U.S. exports and imports, particularly for firms seeking alternative logistics routes amid global supply-chain realignment.
