GEORGE TOWN, September 6 — The iconic Penang ferry, first launched in 1894 and retired from service in 2020, has been transformed into the world’s first passenger ferry museum, offering visitors an immersive journey into the state’s maritime heritage.
Now permanently docked at Tanjung City Marina, the Penang Ferry Museum opens its four decks — including the usually restricted engine room and navigation deck — to showcase interactive exhibits, artefacts, and replicas that trace the evolution of the ferry service since its beginnings.
Despite setbacks during restoration, including a sinking incident that pushed repair works to RM10 million, the museum has been fitted with reinforced hulls, advanced safety systems, and modern visitor facilities. Director Abdul Hadi Abu Osman said the museum was designed to be more than a preservation project.
Aiming instead to engage visitors of all ages with authentic displays, nostalgic settings, and plans for a rooftop café. Currently in its soft launch phase, the museum will officially open to the public on Malaysia Day, September 16, with daily operations from 9am to 10pm.
The museum, adorned with artwork by the late Penang artist Azmi Hussin, not only revives the legacy of a ferry that once linked Penang Island and the mainland but also stands as a cultural landmark symbolising the state’s history and resilience.
With a capacity of 150 visitors per hour, it is set to become a new attraction for both locals and tourists, blending memory, education, and experience aboard one of Penang’s most enduring icons.
