Penang Ferry Service

Three Penang ferries docked at the Butterworth ferry terminal.

Penang Ferry Service is the oldest ferry service in Malaysia. Located in the state of Penang, this famous ferry service connects Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal in Butterworth to Raja Tun Uda ferry terminal at Weld Quay in George Town in Penang Island. The ferries are designed for vehicles to roll-on/roll-off. Some board pedestrian passengers on the upper deck and small vehicles (cars) on the lower deck, whereas some board vehicles on both decks.

The benches for passengers on the upper decks have pivoting backs that can be flipped back and forth so passengers can sit facing in the direction of travel regardless of which way the ferry is going.

History

The ferry service began operation in 1920, under the management of a Chinese-owned company. However, today, it is operated by Penang Port Sdn Bhd.

Ferry fleet

The eight ferries in the current fleet and nine retired ferry are named after islands in Malaysia.^[1]

Status	Configuration	Name	Year built	Deadweight tonnage	IMO ship identification number	Photograph
Retired	Passenger (upper deck) Vehicle (lower deck)[2]	Pulau Labuan	1971	139	7038408
In service	Mixed Passenger/Vehicle (upper deck) Vehicle (lower deck)	Pulau Rawa	1975	262	7343736
In service	Passenger (upper deck) Vehicle (lower deck)	Pulau Talang Talang	1975	262	7343748
In service	Mixed Passenger/Vehicle (upper deck) Vehicle (lower deck)	Pulau Undan	1975	262	7343724
In service	Mixed Passenger/Vehicle (both decks)	Pulau Rimau	1980	100	7911076
In service	Mixed Passenger/Vehicle (upper deck) Vehicle (lower deck)	Pulau Angsa	1981	100	8010491
In service	Vehicle (both decks)	Pulau Kapas	1981	280	8101082
In service	Vehicle (both decks)	Pulau Payar	2002	440	9254393
In service	Vehicle (both decks)	Pulau Pinang	2002	440	9275244

Major events

• 31 July 1988 – Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal bridge collapsed in Butterworth and killed 32 people and injured 1,674 people.

Ferry schedule

A typical passenger deck

A typical vehicle deck

The Butterworth passenger waiting area

Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (Mainland side)

• First ferry departure : 0616 hours
• Last ferry departure : 0040 hours
• Frequency : 10-20mins
• Duration : 15-20mins
• Hotline : 604-3102 377

Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (Island side)

• First ferry departure : 0628 hours
• Last ferry departure : 0100 hours
• Frequency : 10-20mins
• Duration : 15-20mins
• Hotline : 604-2102 363

Ferry rates

Pedestrian

• Adult RM1.20
• Children (between 5 to 12 years old) RM0.60

Seasons Ticket (Pedestrians) – valid for two months from date of issue

• Adult RM30.00

Special passengers

• School children RM0.60
• Kad Orang Kurang Upaya (a card for disabled people) Free

Vehicles

References

1. ↑ Shipping Data - Ship Reference
2. ↑ "Off-limit zone held waiting folk: Captain", New Straits Times, 1 Mar 1989

External links

• Photos of the Penang-Butterworth Ferries, by Peter Loud
• Photos of Penang Ferry
• Penang Port Sdn. Bhd.