Desaru Coast enhances its International Connectivity with the appointment of passenger Ferry Operator to connect the destination with Singapore
Cross-border connectivity set to bring greater socio-economic benefits to South Eastern Johor
(Singapore, 9 March 2022) Desaru Coast Destination Resort (“Desaru Coast”), Malaysia’s largest integrated destination, significantly enhances its international connectivity by appointing Desaru Link Ferry Services Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Batam Fast Ferry Pte. Ltd., (Batam Fast) to offer passenger ferry services connecting Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal with Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal.
Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal, which is completed and ready for operation, will connect travellers from Singapore, and eventually the Riau Islands of Batam and Bintan, to the destination. Batam Fast is expected to provide two round trips from Singapore on Thursday to Sunday and one round trip on Monday to Wednesday based on market demand. The capacity of the ferries serving this route will vary from 150 to 338 passengers. Both, frequency of services and capacity of ferries will scale as market conditions improve and the tourism industry recovers.
Roslina Arbak, MD and CEO of Desaru Development Holdings One Sdn. Bhd. said, “The appointment of the ferry operator is an important step in international connectivity for the destination. Establishing this connectivity is central to the long-term growth of Desaru Coast. More meaningfully, an international entry point such as this will bring multi-layered economic and social benefits to communities and businesses in the South Eastern Region of Johor and we are privileged to enable and support this.
“We are excited to work with an established and leading operator, Batam Fast. They bring a wealth of reliability, experience, market expertise and high safety standards - all the hallmarks of what is expected by our guests.”
Paul R. Gannaway, CEO of Batam Fast Ferry Pte. Ltd., “Having established Batam Fast as a leading passenger ferry operator in the region, we are pleased to continue our connectivity expansion having earmarked southeastern Johor as the desired expansion plan. And now, the development of Desaru Coast together with its strategic connectivity infrastructure of a brand new ferry terminal has presented us with the right opportunity to do so. We believe in the potential and growth of Desaru Coast where it is poised to be a leading regional tourism draw in the years to come.”
With over 40 years of experience, Batam Fast is one of the largest and most established ferry operators in the region, it currently operates 25 ferries across 80 departure schedules between six ferry terminals in Singapore and Indonesia.
Desaru Coast is home to a portfolio of globally renowned hotels and resorts, namely Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas and One&Only Desaru Coast. The destination also boasts one of the region’s largest waterparks, Desaru Coast Conference Centre, and the award winning The Els Golf Club Desaru Coast.
