KUALA LUMPUR: The presence of two United States Navy vessels at the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) in Penang was a routine port call for logistical purposes before continuing their voyage.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) and USS Tulsa (LCS 16) docked at the terminal from Saturday to Monday (March 14 to 16).
"Such visits by foreign naval ships to Malaysian ports are not new and have long been part of international maritime practices and defence relations.
"These port calls serve as a form of defence diplomacy aimed at fostering confidence-building while safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said in a statement on Wednesday (March 18).
He said the primary purpose of a port call is to enable vessels to carry out logistical needs, including resupplying, minor maintenance and providing rest for crew members.
ALSO READ: US Navy littoral combat ships spotted at Butterworth container terminal
"Malaysia has clear policies and procedures governing the presence of foreign naval ships at its commercial ports and naval bases.
"Any request to dock must be submitted through official channels and is subject to approval by the government.
"Such port calls occur regularly, involving naval vessels from various countries, including partners and other nations passing through Malaysian waters such as the Straits of Melaka and the South China Sea," he added.
Such visits are often linked to bilateral or multilateral exercises, as well as international missions aimed at ensuring regional stability and global peace, in line with the Defence White Paper, Khaled said.
"Last year, Malaysia recorded 75 port calls 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," he said.
It was reported on Monday that the two vessels were sighted at the NBCT.
According to news portal The War Zone (TWZ), the ships configured for minesweeping duties were last known to be forward-deployed in the Middle East, having arrived in Bahrain within the past year to replace a group of now-decommissioned Avenger-class mine hunters.
