PENANG HOMEPORT SHIFT TO BOOST MALAYSIA’S MARITIME ROLE

GEORGE TOWN, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- The federal government’s move to position Penang Port, anchored by Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT), as the main homeport for the northern region is expected to elevate Penang’s role within Malaysia’s maritime ecosystem and strengthen regional economic connectivity.

Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said the transition would position Penang Port beyond its current function as a port of call, anchoring stronger cruise and maritime activity for the northern corridor.

He said SPCT’s operational track record, including the handling of more than 700,000 cruise passengers in 2025, reflects the port’s consistent, safe and efficient capabilities.

“This operational strength underpins investor confidence as well as the smooth movement of goods both domestically and internationally.

“The commission also views the homeport proposal as an opportunity to catalyse broader economic spillovers and position Penang as a critical node in Malaysia’s supply chain connectivity,” he told Bernama.

He said PPC remains committed to working closely with stakeholders, including Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB), the Penang state government, Customs and other relevant agencies, to ensure the transition is implemented through proper regulatory, safety and planning frameworks.

Yeoh stressed that the proposed shift involves structural and operational considerations, as Penang Port operates under the Penang Port Commission Act 1955 and the Ports (Privatisation) Act 1990, which define PPC’s regulatory role and PPSB’s operational responsibilities.

“This is a legal and planning change, not merely a marketing label, and it requires coordinated approvals and upgrades to meet passenger and vessel requirements,” he said.

Yeoh emphasised that PPC is supportive of the federal government’s homeport vision, viewing it as both a mandate and an opportunity to elevate Penang’s maritime stature, drive regional economic growth, and reinforce Malaysia’s competitive position in the global maritime sector.

PPC’s stance is further reflected in its ongoing efforts to modernise port operations, invest in digital transformation and expand capacity, as the commission recognised that transitioning to a homeport role would require infrastructural upgrades, integrated policy planning and stakeholder coordination.

-- BERNAMA