Ferry Service Operator Appointed Between Desaru and Singapore
Resort company Desaru Coast Destination Resort has appointed Desaru Link Ferry Services, a subsidiary of ferry operator Batam Fast Ferry, to begin running services between Singapore and Desaru in Johor.
The announcement was made in response to the reopening of international borders in Malaysia from Apr 1st in a joint press release by Desaru Coast and Batam Fast.
“The commencement of ferry services between Singapore and Malaysia is dependent on the border regulations of both countries and approval from both countries’ maritime authority”, said a spokesperson for Desaru Coast.
The service is initially targeted to have two round trips from Singapore’s Tanah Merah ferry terminal to Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal on Thursdays to Sundays, and one round trip on Mondays to Wednesdays based on “market demand” once the company receive approvals from both authorities.
The frequency of services and the capacity of the ferries will gradually increase as market conditions improve and the tourism sector recovers, said the resort and ferry operator.
Ferries serving this route can carry between 150 to 338 passengers.
“(An) international entry point such as this will bring multi-layered economic and social benefits to communities and businesses in the SouthEastern Region of Johor,” said Roslina Arbak, the managing director and chief executive officer of Desaru Development Holdings One.
Last year during the launch of air and land vaccinated travel lanes (VTLs), Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the Malaysia Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob discussed the establishment of a sea VTL. Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal was proposed to be the landing point in Johor for the sea VTL, and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore.
