Penang Port Commission to dispose remaining ferries

THE Penang Port Commission (PPC), owner of four decommissioned iconic double decker ferries, which had plied the cross-channel route for over a century, has decided to dispose of the watercrafts due to their irreparable condition. 

PPC chairperson Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin, a former three-term Paya Terubong assemblyman said the harsh but difficult decision was made because it was not possible to salvage the remaining ferries.

Earlier today it was reported that one of the ferries – the “Pulau Kapas” – had sunk at its berth at the Butterworth wharf.

“Pulau Kapas” was one of the four ferries that were decommissioned in 2020. 

The other ferries were “Pulau Undan”, “Pulau Paya”, and “Pulau Talang Talang”. 

PPC board held a meeting this morning to discuss the next step for the double decker ferries that had transported pedestrians, vehicles, and motorcycles across the narrow 11km-wide strait separating the island and mainland side (Prai) of Penang for 124 years.

Yeoh said in a statement that PPC was alerted to the sunk ferry at around 3.30pm.

“PPC took immediate action such as adding mooring lines and installing oil booms to prevent oil leaks from the (ferry’s) engine room, but we have to dispose of it.” 

Pulau Kapas was built in 1981 and was decommissioned on May 31, 2020 and docked at the ferry terminal. 

 On July 1, 2021, the PPC had leased all four ferries – including the “Pulau Kapas” – to several qualified companies to be transformed into tourism products. However, that failed to materialise because of the high maintenance and repair costs involved. 

The ferries were subsequently returned to PPV in 2021. 

“PPC decided to dispose of these ferries immediately as further repair works could not be carried out due to serious structural rot and (because) these ferries could not be floated again,” stressed Yeoh. 

The ferry service, which began in 1894, is the oldest ferry service in the country and is now entering its 130th year.   

It was reported that the ferry service was initiated by a company named Beng Brothers, which was co-founded by local entrepreneur Quah Beng Kee and his four brothers.  

It only carried pedestrians, but these four ferries were later upgraded to carry motorised vehicles in 1925. – July 24, 2024.