Transport sector activities are the major sources of pollutants to the atmosphere and natural environment. Seaports contribute significantly to the cause of pollution in the water and water front areas they are located. Like other industrial nations and regions, maritime sector in Malaysia continues to grow and expand to facilitate global and regional trade and as a maritime-related activities result have proliferated in sea and shore. This has exposed seaports to a growing pressure and posed challenges to operate in an environmentally friendly manner. This paper aims to classify environmental issues caused by shipping and seaport activities and propose strategies to reduce environmental issues in seaports at east coast of peninsular Malaysia. Using quantitative research design, data was collected through a survey questionnaire from personnel at east coast Malaysian seaports. The result of this paper indicates that garbage dumping, air pollution, maintenance waste, dust, noise pollution, bilge water, dredging operations and oil spill are the most important issues contributed by seaports activities. This paper suggested several strategies that can be implemented to mitigate environmental issues at east coast of Malaysia including Kuantan, Kemaman and Kerteh seaports.

1. Introduction
2. Environmental Impact of Maritime Activities
    2.1 Seaport Pollution
    2.2 Air Pollution in Seaport Territory
    2.3 Water Pollution in Seaport Territory
    2.4 Noise Pollution in Seaport Territory
3. Current Strategies to Overcome Pollution in Seaports
    3.1 Environmental protection and sustainable development
    3.1 Development of shipping technology
4. Methodological application
5. Results and Discussion
    5.1. Profile of the Respondents
    5.2. Strategies to Reduce Environmental Issues in East Coast Malaysian Seaports
6. Conclusion
References

• Jagan JEEVAN(Malaysia Maritime Logistics and Transport Centre, School of Business and Maritime Management, University Malaysia Terengganu)
• Rhonalyn Perez AGUPO(University of Aggriculture and Forestry, Thai Nguyen University)
• Yapa Mahinda BANDARA(Dept. of Transportation System, Mokpo National Maritime University)
• Dai Duong NGUYEN(Dept. of Maritime Transportation System, Mokpo National Maritime University) Corresponding Author
• Gyei Kark PARK(Dept. of Maritime Transportation System, Mokpo National Maritime University)