Companies will extend the cruise berths at Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal in Malaysia
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Penang Port and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. have formed a joint venture to upgrade and extend Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) in Georgetown, Penang.
Plans include improving accessibility for disabled passengers and extending the existing cruise berths from 400 metres to 688 metres to enable SPCT to simultaneously host two cruise ships with more than 4,900 passengers. Parking areas will also be redeveloped to include spaces for tour buses and ease the flow of traffic in the areas around the terminal.
The Malaysian port will hold a 60% stake in the US$35 million project, while Royal Caribbean will cover the remaining 40%. The project has received support from Malaysia’s state and federal governments, and their associated agencies, including tourism bodies. It will also be a focal part of the Malaysian Tourism EPP6 plan, which aims to create a ‘Straits and Borneo Cruise Riviera’.
Royal Caribbean is scheduled to make 38 calls in Penang in 2017.