Following the arrival of the China-operated cruise ship Blue Dream Melody at Penang on December 14, 2023, it is expected that the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal will begin welcoming another cruise ship, operated by an Indian company, starting in April 2025.
Penang Port Commission Chairman, Dato’ Yeoh Soon Hin, revealed that this unprecedented luxury cruise journey across the Indian Ocean is the result of a collaboration between Malaysia, India, and Singapore.
The Ministry of Transport Malaysia, Penang Port Commission, and Port Klang Authority recently witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi, India. The agreement was signed by Penang Port Sdn Bhd, an Indian cruise company, and a Singaporean agency, marking the launch of the Royal Meadows cruise from India to Southeast Asia in the second
quarter of 2025.
The signing ceremony and roundtable meeting were attended by Dato Yeoh Soon Hin, alongside Malaysia’s Secretary-General of the Ministry of Transport, Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan, Chairman of Port Klang Authority, Ean Yong Hian Wah, Penang Port Commission General Manager, Dato Dr. Vijayaindiaran A/L R.Viswalingam, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India , Ramdas Athawale, Goa Minister for Social Welfare, Subhash Phal Desai, and Chief Executive Officer of Penang Port Sdn Bhd, Dato Sasedharan Vasudeva.
The Royal Meadows Cruise and Its Journey – Yeoh stated that the Royal Meadows, approximately 260 meters and capable of carrying 2,000 passengers, is expected to set sail in April 2025. The cruise will take Indian tourists from Port Blair in India, across the Indian Ocean and Andaman Sea, stopping at Phuket in Thailand, Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia and Sabang in northern Sumatra, Indonesia. The cruise will operate weekly round trips between Southeast Asia and India, with a monthly capacity to bring around 8,000 Indian tourists to Penang.
Penang as a Strategic Location – Yeoh noted that historically, trade routes for spices connected India and several Southeast Asian countries, collectively known as “The Spice Route,” which complements China’s Maritime Silk Road.
As Penang is the first gateway to the Malacca Strait from both the east and west, its strategic geographical location makes it ideal for attracting cruise ships from both China and India to dock in Southeast Asia.
He added that the cruise industry was previously dominated by Western companies, using Singapore as a home port and stopping at major Malaysian ports. However, with the rise of cruise industries in China and India, including the growth of domestic cruise operations, the Penang Port Commission aims to seize this opportunity by leveraging its advantages to attract tourists from these two populous nations.
Economic Benefits of Cruise Tourism – Cruise passengers are typically high-end travellers with strong spending power. Each docking can bring thousands of tourists, which is expected to generate significant positive economic impacts for Malaysia. In addition to air travel, the introduction of cruise tourism offers another mode of entry for China and Indian tourists.
”Fly & Cruise” Strategy – Apart from attracting China and India cruises, Dato Yeoh highlighted the Penang Port Commission’s plan to utilize Penang International Airport’s direct flights to various cities in China and India, including the upcoming inaugural Chennai-Penang flight on December 21, to support the Ministry of Transport’s vision of making Malaysia a home port in Southeast Asia. This aligns with the strategic goal of developing Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal as both a home port and a “Fly & Cruise” destination.
Tourism Synergy – As Deputy Chairman of Tourism Malaysia, Yeoh emphasized that the ultimate goal of developing Malaysia as a home port will complement the Ministry of Tourism’s efforts to attract tourists. Cruises can bring high-end travellers in large numbers, boosting the national tourism industry and the economy. This initiative is expected to play a significant role in Malaysia’s preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, further supporting the country’s tourism development.
Source – Penang Port Commission