Swettenham Pier to be upgraded

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) will collaborate with the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) in a joint venture to upgrade and improve the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) here to accommodate berthing of larger cruise ships at its facilities.
According to a PPSB spokesperson, the 60/40 joint venture would be jointly managed by both parties, with the majority stake held by PPSB.
He said the plans for the facilities include the extension of the existing berths to 688 metres from its current length of 400 metres.
"This will enable the terminal to berth two mega cruise liners carrying over 4,900 passengers each at any one time, in line with the industry requirement as Penang comes of age as a 'choice port of call' for international cruise operators.
"In addition, the redevelopment will include spaces for tour buses to ease the flow of traffic in the area around SPCT," he said.
He added that the RM155.44 million (US$35 million) project would further focus on improving accessibility for the aged and physically challenged throughout the terminal from ship to shore.
"This development project will be a focal part of the Malaysian Tourism EPP6 plan to create a 'Straits and Borneo Cruise Riviera'.
"This joint venture between RCL and PPSB, will showcase Georgetown, a UNESCO World Heritage site to a fast-growing tourism market.
"The ability to handle more and larger cruise vessels in Swettenham Pier will entrench Penang as a major cruise destination in the region," he said.
He added the RCL was scheduled to make 38 calls in Penang in 2017.