Langkawi: The ferry service schedule to Langkawi will be revised after the Aidilfitri holidays due to rising industrial diesel prices by over 100 percent.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ferry Line Ventures Sdn Bhd general manager, Dr. Baharin Baharom, stated that the restructuring is essential to mitigate the risk of losses faced by Langkawi ferry operators as operational costs rise. Currently, ferry operators in Langkawi charge a fare of 88 sen per nautical mile, which is significantly lower than the rates charged by operators for other major islands, such as Pulau Pangkor and Pulau Tioman, which reach RM2 per nautical mile. As a cost-control measure and to align with current demand, the original schedule of five trips per day will be reduced to three trips daily.

Dr. Baharin mentioned that on March 17, ferry operators from the Peninsula, Sabah, and Sarawak met with the Ministry of Transport to discuss proposed additional charges in response to higher fuel costs. However, a decision regarding the application has yet to be finalized by the government. He highlighted that the price of industrial diesel in Langkawi is higher than in other major islands in the Peninsula and expressed hope for a fairer and more sustainable settlement mechanism from the government.

The restructuring measure aims to sustain Langkawi's ferry transport industry while minimizing adverse effects on local tourism. Dr. Baharin emphasized their commitment to providing quality service to users while ensuring operational viability amidst challenging economic conditions and costs.