The ferry service connecting the mainland to Langkawi is set for a significant restructuring of its operational schedule following the conclusion of the Aidilfitri holidays. This adjustment is a direct response to a sharp increase in industrial diesel prices, which have reportedly surged by over 100 per cent. Ferry Line Ventures Sdn Bhd general manager, Dr Baharin Baharom, stated that the move is essential to mitigate the mounting risk of financial losses faced by local operators as operational overheads continue to climb.
Under the new cost-control measures, the current frequency of five daily trips will be reduced to just three departures per day. Dr Baharin explained that this reduction is intended to align service availability with current passenger demand while managing the unsustainable rise in fuel expenditures. He highlighted that Langkawi ferry operators currently maintain a fare of 88 sen per nautical mile, a rate significantly lower than the RM2 per nautical mile charged by operators serving other major Malaysian destinations such as Pulau Pangkor and Pulau Tioman.
In an effort to address these economic pressures, ferry operators from the Peninsula, Sabah, and Sarawak held a meeting with the Ministry of Transport on 17 March. The discussion focused on a proposal for additional charges to offset the heightened fuel costs that are currently being absorbed by the industry. However, the government has yet to reach a final decision regarding this application, leaving operators in a state of financial uncertainty as they navigate the shifting economic landscape.
Dr Baharin pointed out that the price of industrial diesel in Langkawi is notably higher than in other major islands across the Peninsula, creating a unique disadvantage for local maritime transport providers. He expressed hope that the government would soon consider a fairer and more sustainable settlement mechanism to ensure the long-term viability of the sector. The proposed restructuring aims to balance the necessity of maintaining Langkawi’s essential transport links with the practical realities of increasingly challenging economic conditions.
Despite the reduction in trip frequency, the management remains committed to providing reliable service to commuters and tourists alike. Dr Baharin emphasised that securing operational viability is crucial to maintaining the sustainability of Langkawi’s ferry industry and minimising any potential negative impacts on the local tourism economy. The revised schedule is viewed as a necessary step to ensure that ferry services can continue to function effectively while the industry awaits a more permanent solution from federal authorities.
