Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: Reuters

Penang is preparing for a significant rise in tourism and economic activity as a Chinese cruise ship will make the state its home port starting at the end of November. This is the first time that a Chinese cruise ship has chosen Penang as its main operating base, and it is seen as a historic step in developing the cruise tourism industry in Malaysia.

The cruise ship, named Piano Land, has a large capacity. It can carry 1,760 passengers and has 880 cabins for travellers. The ship will begin its operations in Penang with seven sailings scheduled between November 30 and December 13 this year. These sailings will include night cruises to Port Klang and Langkawi, two of Malaysia’s popular coastal destinations.

Big Economic Benefits Expected for Penang

Officials believe that each sailing will bring more than RM1 million directly into Penang’s economy. This is because passengers spend money on shopping, dining, sightseeing tours, and transport services when they visit the island. On average, each passenger is expected to spend about RM400 during their stay.

In addition to this, further economic benefits are expected from passengers who choose to extend their stay in Penang after their cruise ends. When passengers stay longer, they spend more on hotels, restaurants, local attractions, and transport, helping small businesses and creating jobs for local people.

Strengthening Penang as a Regional Cruise Hub

This move will also help Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) become a stronger and more important regional hub for cruises in Southeast Asia. Penang will earn port fees from the ship docking there, and there will be extra income from spending by the ship’s crew members who buy supplies, food, and personal items while in port.

There are also benefits for support services such as airlines, taxis, hotels, restaurants, and retail shops. All these sectors are expected to see an increase in business once the cruises start.

Official Statements and Future Plans

The chairman of the Penang Port Commission, Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin, said this is a proud moment for Penang as it marks an important milestone in the state’s cruise tourism development. He explained that if the public response is strong and many seats are sold, the authorities plan to extend the contract and further grow the cruise industry next year.

He shared that over the seven sailings, there will be a total of 12,320 seats available. Their target is to sell at least 80% of these seats by the end of this year to make the program successful.

Challenges at Penang International Airport

However, Datuk Yeoh also mentioned a challenge. He said that Penang International Airport has limited capacity, which might make it difficult to fully take advantage of the expected increase in cruise passengers. Many people arrive in Penang by air to board their cruises, and if the airport is too small or crowded, it can affect the travel plans of tourists.

Signing of Important Agreements

During a press conference held at Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal, two important Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed to support this new project.
The first MOU was signed between Hwajing Travel and Tours and SPCT. It is an agreement to promote SPCT as a dedicated cruise home port from 2025 to 2027. This means they will work together to make Penang a main base for cruise ships for at least two years.

The second MOU was signed between Hwajing Travel and Tours and Astro Ocean Cruise, the company that owns the Piano Land cruise ship. This agreement is to jointly market and sell cruise packages to ensure the success of the sailings.

Key People Present at the Ceremony

Many important officials were present at the signing ceremony, including:

• Datuk Dr V. Vijayaindiaran, General Manager of Penang Port Commission
• Datuk Sasedharan Vasudevan, Chief Executive Officer of Penang Port Sdn Bhd
• Kenny Cheong, Managing Director of Hwajing Travel and Tours
• Jian-Feng Tong, Vice-President of Astro Ocean Cruise

Overall Benefits for Penang

With this initiative, Penang is expected to:

• Attract thousands of tourists from China and other countries
• Increase income for local businesses in tourism, food, retail, and transport
• Create new job opportunities in hospitality and cruise support services
• Strengthen its name as a famous and reliable cruise destination in Asia

Officials hope that with good planning and strong cooperation between different sectors, Penang will continue to grow as a leading cruise tourism destination, bringing long-term benefits to its people and economy.