Swettenham Pier

THE Penang Port Commision (PPC) has signed a lease agreement with MPDT Capital Bhd for the company to redevelop the port's three old warehouses and part of Tanjung City Marina within the next two years.

The agreement will allow MPDT Capital to invest RM120mil to develop Warehouse 5, 7 and 8 and a portion of land between Weld Quay to the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT).

https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2021/08/06/ppc-inks-deal-for-rm120mil-redevelopment-of-penang-port039s-old-warehouses-and-seafront

CRUISES SET TO RESUME IN PENANG

Genting Cruise Lines and Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) announced plans to restart cruises in Penang, with Star Cruises offering Langkawi itineraries beginning May 13, at the start of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays.

The cruise will be on Star Cruises' 40,053 tonnage Star Pisces cruise ship, which can accommodate up to 1,600 passengers. Star Pisces will become the first ship to resume sailings in Malaysia, and one of the few in the world, contributing to the growth of tourism in Penang and Pulau Langkawi.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/03/675331/cruises-set-resume-penang

PENANG PORT'S FIVE RECOVERY STRATEGIES

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow visited the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) in Butterworth today.

Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) has identified five key recovery strategies to grow its port business during the Covid-19 pandemic.

First, to attract and aggressively promote a vessel lay-up within the Penang Port limit which includes all terminals under PPSB.

Second, to promote and generate new income from long storage of import empty at NBCT yard with a special offer mechanism.

Third, to approach main fibreboard shippers in south Thailand such as Panel Plus Company Limited that are using Songkhla Port currently to divert their cargo to Penang by introducing an incentive such as free storage period or special handling rate, warehouse space and others.

Fourth, to work as a group to give berth priority for main line operators to enhance more volumes and call activities at all ports under MMC Corp Berhad.

Fifth, develop group incentive signing with main line operators to create value to customers and allow them to increase more load and discharge volume within all ports under MMC Corp Berhad.

https://www.buletinmutiara.com/ppsb-outlines-5-key-recovery-strategies-for-port-business/

PENANG IS NO.1 CRUISE DESTINATION IN MALAYSIA

Penang Port has evolved across centuries from a transshipment point of agricultural and mining produce to trading hi-tech electronic products and solar panels over the past 40 years.

Since 2009, shortly after George Town – Penang’s capital city – was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site, cruise tourism has boomed, making Penang the No 1 cruise destination in Malaysia.

“If you look through history, the oldest ports around the world are no longer in existence, but Penang remains strong because it has evolved with the times,” says Jeffrey Chew, chairman of the Penang Port Commission (PPC).

“We see Penang Port continuing its important role and moving through the tests of time to ensure its economic contribution to Penang and Malaysia.”

https://www.scmp.com/country-reports/country-reports/topics/malaysia-business-report-2020/article/3052632/penang-port

CLOSING LOCAL PORTS TO EX-CHINA CRUISES WILL NOT HIT THE INDUSTRY HARD

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail announced that Malaysia will not accept ex-China cruise ships or those that berthed there prior to Malaysia.

Putrajaya’s move to close local ports to ex-China cruises will not hit the industry here hard, said travel operators who expressed greater concern about the coronavirus disease’s (Covid-19) impact on Malaysian tourism in general.

Travel agents told Malay Mail that cruises to and from China were a minor offering, saying most tourists preferred to travel by air than sea between the two destinations.

News source: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/18/tour-operators-say-closing-ports-to-china-cruises-not-massive-blow-but-warn/1838405

随着新冠肺炎疫情延烧，虽然槟州没有从中国或停过中国的邮轮被禁靠岸，不过邮轮乘客量却锐减一半，乔治市旅游区生意大受影响。

槟州港务局主席周锦炎接受《光华日报》访问时说，疫情爆发以来， 邮轮乘客量已逐渐减少，尤其上周减少了30%，而本周更为严重，减至50%。

https://www.kwongwah.com.my/20200217/疫情爆发邮轮乘客量减半-乔治市旅游区大受打击/

DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT VISITED SWETTENHAM PIER

YB Dato' Kamarudin Jaffar, Deputy Minister of Transport, was at the Swettenham Pier yesterday for a work visit.

The Deputy Minister was hosted by Penang Port Commission chairman, Jeffrey Chew.

THREE HERITAGE GODOWNS TO BE RE-DEVELOPED

The Eastern Seaport Development involves redesigning and refurbishing of three Godowns between Swettenham Pier and Tanjung City Marina.

The three godowns to be converted into heritage commercial attractions such as duty-free shops, food and beverage outlets, homegrown brands offerings, local-made products and gift shops.

Source: https://www.bursamalaysia.com/market_information/announcements/company_announcement/announcement_details?ann_id=3020506

疫情蔓延，槟州港务局主席周锦炎表示，目前槟城不会禁止外国邮轮进入码头，除非是收到部长的指示。

他是接受《光华日报》记者电访受询时说，当局从上个月即农历新年初一开始至今，就已经展开预防工作，即每个邮轮乘客都会接受体检后，若无碍才可下船进入槟城。

https://www.kwongwah.com.my/20200206/除非收到部长指示-槟码头不禁外国邮轮/

GOOGLE BUILDING RM3.7BIL WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT IN TORONTO, CANADA

Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has plans for a high-tech, affordable, and environmentally-friendly neighborhood along Toronto’s waterfront.

With a $900 million (RM3.7 billion) investment from Alphabet, the waterfront is intended to be affordable and environmentally friendly, with nearly half of the housing units priced below market rate.

Source: https://www.businessinsider.my/alphabet-sidewalk-labs-toronto-neighborhood-development-timber-high-rise-buildings-2020-2/

NO PLANS TO BAN CRUISE SHIPS

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said, "We have not banned any cruise ship, but we will take measures to ensure that everyone coming here will be checked in terms of their body temperature and health conditions."

Transport Ministry continued to take advice from Health Ministry on measures required to curb the threat of the coronavirus outbreak.

Cruise passengers would have to go through strict health screenings at all entry points into the country according to the measures taken by the Health Ministry.

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/02/07/no-plans-to-ban-cruise-ships-from-docking-says-loke

THREE GODOWNS NEAR SWETTENHAM PIER WILL BE RE-DEVELOPED AS SEAFRONT ATTRACTION

Solaris Consortium Sdn Bhd has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Penang Port Commission to build, operate and transfer development of the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal.

The project entails the redesigning and refurbishing three heritage buildings, namely Godown 5, Godown 7 and Godown 8 (warehouse 5) located at the seafront between the pier and Tanjung City Marina, Penang.

Phase 1 is expected to be completed by 2021, while Phase 2 and 3 would be completed in 2022.

Source: https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2020/02/03/ideal-unit-inks-mou-to-refurbish-swettenham-pier-cruise-terminal/1834057