Penang’s ferries can still be saved, says ex-PPSB CEO

GEORGE TOWN – The double-decker ferries can be saved from being phased out because of its historical value to the state, said former Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) managing director Datuk Ahmad Ibnihajar.

Ahmad, who served as managing director and later chief executive officer until 2014, said the port had submitted a proposal to salvage the ferries to the federal government through a series of corporate and legislative exercises or amendments.

Speaking to The Vibes recently, he said the ferries enjoy iconic status and should not be decommissioned just because of high operational costs.

To revive the previous proposal, Ahmad said the Transport Ministry needs to amend the seafaring status of the ferries from straits crossing to ocean and river crossings.

As a vessel for ocean or river crossing, it can only sail if there is a minimum of eight to 12 passengers or vehicles onboard, so the ferries can be protected from embarking on loss-making trips.

Fares can be raised while reducing the trip frequency, he added.

The ferries can also be charted to sail to other destinations that have berthing facilities, so it can become a tourist attraction, he said.

“Just look at the Hong Kong model. Ferries can be a guide on how to preserve centuries-old ferries and to make it commercially viable.”

He also suggested that the ferries be refitted with lighter carbon material and its engines modernised to reduce maintenance costs and needs.

Also, replicas can be commissioned at lower costs – the hull can be smaller and more compact – to meet the present market needs of more foot passengers than vehicles.

He rubbished reports that losses incurred were RM30 million annually, saying that during his tenure, losses were contained at RM6 million each year.

“It is a question of mismanagement or even possible corruption because how can the ferries be allowed to incur such a big loss.”

The management needs to investigate and understand why the maintenance programme has become too costly to manage, he said.

Ahmad made the observations after the Penang Port Commission sanctioned the proposal by PPSB after consultation with the Transport Ministry.

The three parties reached a decision to phase out the double-decker ferries by 2022.

Starting today, only one of seven in the fleet will remain operational.

It will only accept motorcyclists and cyclists from 6.30am until 11.30pm daily, while foot passengers will be using the speedboat ferries leased from Langkawi ferry operators.

The foot passengers will disembark from a pontoon at the Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal in Butterworth to the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal at the Weld Quay stretch of the island, while motorists can only cross the channel using the two Penang Bridges. – The Vibes, January 1, 2021