Holiday at sea: (From left) Tong, Cheong and Yeoh admiring a miniature model of the Piano Land cruise ship after the press conference in George Town. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Penang will get a tourism and economic boost when a Chinese cruise ship makes the state its home port starting late November – a first for a Chinese vessel.
With a capacity of 1,760 passengers and 880 cabins, Piano Land will operate seven sailings between Nov 30 and Dec 13, offering several night cruises to Port Klang and Langkawi.
The move is expected to generate more than RM1mil per sailing in direct economic impact, including average passenger spending of RM400 on shopping, dining, tours and transport.
Additional gains are expected from passengers who extend their stay.
It will also strengthen Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal’s (SPCT) position as a regional hub, with further benefits from port fees, crew spending as well as support services such as aviation, hospitality and retail.
Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said the cruise homeporting would mark a milestone in the state’s cruise tourism development.
“This marks the first time a Chinese cruise ship is homeporting in Penang.
“If the response is strong, we aim to extend the contract and grow the industry next year.
“With 12,320 seats available over seven sailings, our target is to sell 80% by year-end,” Yeoh said at a press conference following the signing of two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) at SPCT.
However, he added that the limited capacity at Penang International Airport remains a challenge in fully capitalising on the potential influx of cruise passengers.
Meanwhile, the MOUs include an agreement between Hwajing Travel and Tours and SPCT to promote the terminal as a dedicated cruise homeport from 2025 to 2027.
Another is between Hwajing and Astro Ocean Cruise, which owns the cruise ship, to jointly market cruise packages.
Present at the signing were PPC general manager Datuk Dr V. Vijayaindiaran, Penang Port Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Sasedharan Vasudevan, Hwajing managing director Kenny Cheong and Astro Ocean Cruise vice-president Jian-Feng Tong.
