THE Doulos Hope book ship is set to call at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal between May 25 and June 20 this year after all clearance has been obtained.
Penang is on the list of Doulos Hope’s future ports of call, alongside, Singapore, Port Klang, Pasir Gudang, Kuching, and Kota Kinabalu. The vessel is now decked in Penang to complete its renovation works. Doulos Hope is scheduled to be leaving for Singapore at the end of April before calling at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal, Penang.
Doulos Hope director Mark Knight and its port engagement director Augusta Davin paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at his office today to share the vessel’s future plans.
Doulos Hope is among the other vessels managed by GBA Ships, beginning with the original Logos which was purchased in 1970. GBA Ships is a non-profit organisation based in Germany, operating ships that promote international understanding through cultural exchange programmes, community service initiatives and floating bookfairs.
Over six and a half million visitors came to Logos during 408 ports of call in 108 countries. In 1988, Logos ran aground in atrocious weather conditions in Tierra del Fuego, hitting rocks in the Beagle Channel between Argentina and Chile. No one was lost or injured but the ship could not be saved.
GBA Ships also bought the Doulos which was constructed in 1914. Doulos was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest active ocean-going passenger ship. In 2010, she was sold and converted into a luxury hotel on land in Indonesia named Doulos Phos.
Other vessels that are managed by GBA Ships include Logos II (retired from service in 2008) and Logos Hope (touted to be the world’s largest floating bookfair).
Knight said the Doulos Hope is the latest addition to the GBA Ships fleet.
“We look forward to more Malaysians joining our team,” he said.
Knight also extended his invitation to Chow to open the welcome ceremony of the Doulos Hope to Penang once all clearance has been obtained.
Chow thanked Knight and Davin for the invitation, and he looked forward to the arrival of Doulos Hope in May.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis