RM20mil ferry to link Labuan, Brunei and Sabah

Labuan: A super fast new RM20 million ro-ro ferry, "Goodwill Start", will begin its maiden run from here to Kuala Belait (Brunei) and Menumbok with offer of travel in both comfort and style. The vessel was built by a company under the Sarawak-based Jaya Coastal Group. Its Managing Director, Mj (K) David Ling said the new vessel is larger than the Penang ferry and possibly the biggest such classed vessel in Malaysia.It could accommodate 100 various sized vehicles and about 500 passengers. It would be operated by Labuan Mainland Link Sdn Bhd, a licence-holder and operator of "Putra Jaya 1". The company was hoping to put the vessel in service before the Harvest Festival and the holidays in Sarawak.

Labuan Chinese Chamber of Commerce (LCCC) Chairman Datuk Wong Kii Yii said the additional ferry service was certainly "good news" for Labuan and Sabah as well as Kuala Belait which is a popular oil town in Brunei and has a sizeable expatriate population.

He hoped that with the direct ferry link Kuala Belait residents would find it convenient to use Labuan for their Rest and Recreation.

"With the new service, travel woes between here and Menumbok would become history as commuters could just drive to the terminal and travel to any of the four ferries operating on the Menumbok route without having to book in advance.

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"There would be no longer travel uncertainty," said Wong.

He also said the business community should take advantage of the marine link by establishing economic ties with Kuala Belait counterparts. He said Brunei was well-known for having imported branded food products which are often sought after by expatriates and supply boats here.

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He hoped the Veterinary Department would not make imports difficult with all sorts of regulations and ignore the Asean spirit. Labuan is also connected to Muara in Brunei by another ferry "Shuttle Hope". Many use the ferry for onward driving from Muara to Miri.

With the start of the new service, Labuan would be served by three ferry operators with four vessels involved. The joint capacity of the vessel is 220 vehicles. If all the ferries make three outward trips per day to Menumbok, over 900 vehicles would exit.

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00