Langkawi: Langkawi ferry operators are appealing to the federal government to expedite dredging works in the shipping lanes in Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis which are now experiencing silt deposits that affect shipping safety. Ferry Line Ventures Sdn Bhd operations manager, Lieutenant Commander (Retired) Norhafiz Abdul Wahid, said the increasingly shallow shipping lanes not only increase the risk to passenger ferry operations, but can also cause schedule disruptions and travel delays.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Norhafiz emphasized the importance of dredging to ensure the smooth operation of ferry services, which are crucial for transportation to Langkawi and play a significant role in supporting the country's tourism sector. He highlighted that passenger ferry services have previously transported up to 25,000 tourists a day during peak season.

Norhafiz warned that without immediate dredging, the situation might affect ferry operations, especially during peak season, including the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) next year. He advocated for comprehensive and periodic dredging to maintain safe shipping routes and accommodate increasing passenger numbers.

In a related announcement, Norhafiz revealed that 176 regular ferry trips and 66 additional trips are scheduled between August 27 and September 6 to cater to the school holiday season and National Day crowd. He noted that approximately 90,000 passengers are expected to travel via the main routes of Langkawi-Kuala Perlis-Langkawi and Langkawi-Kuala Kedah-Langkawi, with 86,978 tickets already sold through various channels.

He advised visitors to purchase tickets in advance online via the Cuti-Cuti Langkawi application to avoid disappointment. Norhafiz assured that ferry operations would maintain a high level of readiness throughout the school holiday season and National Day.