By
Alice Chambers |
Damen Shipyards will build five new ro-pax ferries to replace Penang Port’s current fleet for services between Butterworth, the Malaysian Peninsula, Penang Island and the city of George Town.
Each new vessel will carry up to 250 passengers and 50 vehicles every 15 minutes, and will feature air-conditioned and sheltered, outdoor areas.
Following an assessment of Penang Port’s operations, infrastructure and customer’s wishes, Damen standardised its design to be more efficient and cost-effective. Redundancy, maintenance, spare parts, crew training and operating costs were also considered during the design process
The new ferries will be delivered in mid-2023 and will serve an estimated 2.5 million pedestrians and 1.5 million two-wheel vehicles each year.
The ferry terminals at Butterworth, Penang Island and George Town will be upgraded with timesaving technology such as berthing pontoons with fast ramp control. Damen will also provide one year’s technical support for Penang Port once the new fleet has been delivered, including a local maintenance hub.
“In a joint effort with Penang Port we have achieved a cost-efficient solution while maintaining the daily schedule of the ferries, and we look forward to seeing them making a significant contribution to the area’s transport infrastructure,” said Gysbert Boersma, regional director of Damen. “Furthermore, our maintenance hub will bring local employment and a transfer of skills that will make a positive contribution to the regional maritime sector.”