Penang urges Immigration Dept to speed up reopening of sea borders for cruise ships

GEORGE TOWN, June 3 (Bernama) -- The Penang government hopes that the Immigration Department will soon open the country's sea border, to enable the return of international cruise ship tourists to the state.

State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the tourism industry was one of the important economic pillars for the state of Penang.

"We are indeed waiting for the arrival of this international cruise ship because many foreign tourists enter Penang using cruise ships.

"We hope the Immigration Department can speed up the process of opening the sea border," he said during question time in the State Legislative Assembly today.

He was replying to Gooi Hsiao Leung (PKR-Bukit Tengah) who had wanted to know on the reopening of maritime borders to allow cruise ships to return to the country.

According to Yeoh, tourism industry players in Penang will reap many benefits if international cruise ships re-enter the state and the state government has made various efforts to ensure Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) remains developed, including upgrading the infrastructures.

In this regard, he said the upgrading of SPCT has started since 2020 and will be done in four phases, namely Phase 1A, 1B, 2 and 3 and so far, Phase 1A has been completed.

"Phase 1A, estimated at RM95 million, includes works to widen the wharf 220 metres north of SPCT, construction of new breasting and mooring dolphins of 50 metres and 68 metres respectively, and construction of two bridges for new breasting and mooring dolphins. 

"Phase 1B, which is estimated at RM4.62 million, will focus on the Development of Preliminary Upland and installation of gangway or boarding bridges," he said.

He added that Phases 2 and 3, namely the New Homeport Terminal, estimated at RM55 million will involve terminal improvement works involving the restructuring of existing terminal; addition of new connecting routes and other works.

-- BERNAMA