LANGKAWI: Dredging works of the shipping channel and surrounding areas of the Kuala Perlis Ferry Terminal will begin soon.
Northern Region Marine Department director Abd Majid Rais said that once the project is completed, the Langkawi-Kuala Perlis ferry route will no longer be disrupted.
The area has reportedly become shallow again, affecting ferry operations.
He said one reason the area has become shallow again after previous dredging works is the sedimentation from surrounding areas, forming large mud deposits along the basin near the jetty.
"We have received complaints that the ferry channel and surrounding area of the Kuala Perlis terminal have become shallow again due to mud accumulation after more than a year since the last dredging work was done.
"However, new dredging work in the area will begin soon as the project has been awarded to a company through an open tender," he said when contacted today.
Abd Majid said the letter of acceptance by the involved company was signed on July 15, involving a 10-month contract starting Aug 1 until May 31 next year.
He said this in response to Konsortium Ferry Line Ventures Sdn Bhd (Ferry Line) amending 52 ferry trips this month due to the water level at the Kuala Perlis ferry terminal becoming shallow again.
Yesterday, it was reported that Ferry Line operations manager Norhafiz Abdul Wahid said that the amendment of 52 ferry trips was made to prevent ferries from getting stuck on sandbanks.