INGENIEUR
Edward Place. Mitchell’s Pier (also known as
Bagan Tuan Kechil Pier) was situated around the
present day North Butterworth Container Terminal.
The ferry service thrived and in 1922 was taken
over by the Penang Harbour Board, which is the
predecessor of Penang Port Commission. Bigger
steam ferries were introduced and in 1925
motorised vehicles (besides passengers and
goods) were being transported across the strait.
Initially, the Penang Harbour Board operated the
ferry at Church Street Ghaut Wharf. Later it was
demolished and replaced by the Church Street
Pier which has been restored and is still standing.
In 2017, the Malaysian Federal Government began
the takeover of the ferry service and transferred
it to Prasarana Malaysia, a Government linked
company (GLC) which oversees urban public
transportation across the country. Following this
takeover, the Penang shuttle ferry was rebranded
as Penang Rapid Ferry. As stated earlier, the
present Penang Rapid Ferry operates between
Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal on the island
and Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal on the
mainland.
In the post war years, there were three steam
ferries – SS Violet, Elizabeth and Pelangi plying
the strait. With the advancement of shipbuilding
technology, steam ferries were finally replaced
by more powerful and efficient diesel-powered
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ferries. From 1971 until 2002, nine diesel ferries
were built and named after islands like Pulau
Labuan (built in 1971), Pulau Rawa (1975),
Pulau Talang Talang (1975), Pulau Undan (1975),
Pulau Rimau (1980), Pulau Angsa (1981), Pulau
Kapas (1981), Pulau Payar (2002) and Pulau
Pinang (2002). At present, only six are still in
active service. Depending on the size of the ferry,
deadweight tonnage (DWT) or maximum allowable
cargo varies from 100 to 440 tonnes. The newest
ferry, Pulau Pinang, has an overall length of 56m,
breadth of 11.6m and depth of 3.7m. It is fitted
with two engines with a combined power of
1650kW. The entire ferry is made of steel plates
and beams which provide sufficient rigidity and
strength to carry the intended cargo. All ferries
have been designed with a similar shape and
geometry, consisting of two decks and four
interchangeable entrances at the stern sections
to roll in and roll out cargo. The lower deck is
exclusively used for carrying vehicles while the
upper deck is either for passengers or smaller
vehicles or both. There are two navigation bridges,
each located at the stern above the upper deck.
The ferry’s diesel engine is designed to drive two
sets of vertical rotating blades to generate omni-
directional thrust. This design provides greater
manoeuvrability especially for docking and
undocking at the terminals. The docking bridge is