Pulau Penang Island (Georgetown, Malaysia)

Pulau Penang Island is part of Malaysia (constitutional monarchy in Southeast Asia) as one of all 13 federal states. The state covers a total area of approx 1048 km2 (405 mi2) and has population around 1,67 million. It is also one of the 4 Malaysian states run by a Governor (together with Malacca, Sabah, and Sarawak). Malaysia also has another isle called "Pulau Pinang" - it is a diving site in South China Sea (part of Johor Marine Park) which consist of the islands Pinang, Dayang, Lang, and Aur.

Port Penang is a free port (free economic territory) serving the capital city George Town (also Georgetown). When the British East India Company occupied Penang (August 12, 1786), the isle was named "Prince of Wales Island" to honor the birthday of King George IV (at that time Prince of Wales, 1762-1830). The capital city George Town was named after the ruling King George III (1738-1820).

Penang Island has an area of 295 km2 (114 ml2). It is the 4th-largest island in Malaysia, after Banggi, Bruit and Langkawi islands. Pulau Penang Island is also the most populated in the country with a population of around 678,000. It is connected with mainland Malaysia by the Penang Bridge which begins at Gelugor on the isle and ends in Perai on the mainland.  In 2016, the cruise port handled 150 ship calls and 230,000+ passengers. In 2017, RCCL had scheduled 38 ship calls in Penang (George Town).

In mid-March 2017, RCCL-Royal Caribbean entered into a joint venture (40% stake) with the Porth Authority "Penang Port Sdn Bhd" (PPSB). On September 6, 2018, RCCL and PPSB  Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCL) and Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) officially signed the joint venture terminal project (~USD 37 million).

RCCL will upgrade and redevelop port's existing facility "Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal" in George Town. At the upgraded pier will be able to dock two larger cruise vessels simultaneously. Along with two large liners, the port will be also able to berth 2 more ships - 1 small and 1 medium-sized. The existing berth will be extended from 400 to 688 m (1312 to 2260 ft), by adding 220 m pier plus 118 m long marine dolphin (mooring structure extending above the water but not connected to shore). Terminal's areas will be redeveloped to include a dedicated tour bus parking area. In 2019, RCI scheduled a total of 36 ship calls at Penang.

In August 2019 was announced that Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (government-owned transport company) in 2020 will upgrade Penang Island's ferry service (daily crossings on the Butterworth-Georgetown route) by introducing catamarans to speed up the passenger shipping between the island and mainland Malaysia. For this Rapid Ferry project, the Government allocated MYR 90 million (~USD 21,5 million / ~EUR 19,3 million). Most of the existing ferries will be converted into cruise ships transporting tourists.

Pulau Penang Island cruise terminal