Penang Ferry-
Heritage Sea
Transport
I
t has been recorded that the Penang Ferry
is the oldest shuttle ferry service in Malaysia
that provides sea transportation across the
narrow Penang Strait (approximately 3.2km wide
between the narrowest points) that separates
Penang Island and the mainland peninsular. The
service links the Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal in
Georgetown City on Penang Island and the Sultan
Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal in Butterworth on the
mainland.
by Ir. Dr Oh Seong Por
The first cross strait transit was started in 1894
by a Chinese businessman named Quah Beng
Kee. Together with his brothers, he established the
Guan Lee Hin Steamship Company to transport
mainly passengers and goods across the strait.
The Beng brothers, as they were popularly known,
operated the boat service between Fort Pier and
Mitchell’s Pier. Neither of these piers exist today.
The Fort Pier (also called Kedah Pier) was located
off Fort Cornwallis, beside the present day King
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