The issue of container and vessel capacity shortage due to the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the global trade and has become a serious problem for importers and exporters as well as the logistics industry in Malaysia. The container and space shortage on board shipping lines have increased container freight rates for both export and import shipments by between 300% to 500%.

The Export Assistance Programme (EAP) established by the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) is to provide assistance to Malaysian timber exporters, particularly SMEs to defray part of only the ocean freight charges.