Tag: Penang

Floating book fair Doulos Hope to dock at Penang

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Floating book fair Doulos Hope to dock at Penang

Doulos Hope Ship Sets Sail for Penang from 2nd to 13th August 2023, then to Pasir Gudang, Kuching, and Kota Kinabalu!

The renowned Doulos Hope ship is all set to dock at Penang’s Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT), making its much-awaited appearance in Malaysian waters! After Penang, it will continue its journey to Pasir Gudang and Kuching, before finally reaching Kota Kinabalu as its last port of call.

Calling all book enthusiasts! The public will have the incredible opportunity to step aboard the ship and explore a treasure trove of books. Don’t miss this unique experience – the entrance fee is only RM2!

During a special launch and welcoming ceremony attended by media and distinguished guests, Tim Dyer, the Director of Doulos Hope, and Captain of the ship, expressed his excitement about the upcoming voyage. The diverse crew, hailing from around 20 different nationalities, will embark on their journey on August 13, sailing to East Malaysian ports before venturing to Indo China.

Among the honored guests were the caretaker Chief Minister, Chow Kon Yeow, and another ship director, Mark Knight.

Doulos Hope is an impressive vessel, weighing 3,370 tonnes and stretching 85.5 meters long, with an impressive top speed of 13.5 knots.

Get ready to be part of this extraordinary voyage filled with knowledge and wonder! Mark your calendars and join us as we set sail on this incredible literary adventure. See you there!

Jalan Kek Chuan in Penang: Ranked 17th Among the World’s Most Beautiful Streets

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Jalan Kek Chuan in Penang: Ranked 17th Among the World’s Most Beautiful Streets

Penang’s Kek Chuan Road has been named one of ’40 of the Most Beautiful Streets in the World That Will Stop You in Your Tracks.

Penang and Phuket, Thailand, are the only Southeast Asia countries on the list.

Penang came in 17th after Symi, Greece; Boston, Massachusetts; Cape Town, South Africa; Chefchaouen, Morocco; Águeda, Portugal; Alberobello, Italy; Athens, Greece; Colmar, France; Burano, Italy; Kyoto, Japan; Buenos Aires, Argentina; San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; Paris, France; Cotswolds, England; and San Francisco, California.

Others on the list included Annecy, France; Phuket, Thailand; Copenhagen, Denmark; Sichuan, China; Istanbul, Turkey; London, England; Brooklyn, New York; Miami, Florida; Milos, Greece; Big Sur, California; Salvador, Brazil; Bergen, Norway; Bamberg, Germany; Campeche, Mexico; San Antonio, Texas; Villefranche-sur-Mer, France; Recife, Brazil; Charleston, South Carolina; Oita, Japan; Québec City, Canada; Bath, England; Cairo, Egypt; and Lisbon, Portugal.

The article described George Town, the capital of the Malaysian island Penang, as a Unesco World Heritage Site with lively street art and even more famed street food.

“If it’s an architectural eye candy you’re after, head to Jalan Kek Chuan to peruse the ornately detailed shops that blend Eastern and Western designs,” it added.

Meanwhile, state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin believed this recognition would bring a profound impact on Penang’s local economy and the tourism industry as a whole.

“It gives me great pleasure to share with you that our very own local street – Kek Chuan Road, has been accredited as the top 17th of the most beautiful streets in the world.

“Amidst countless breathtaking destinations across the globe, the humble street of our state has emerged as a shining gem, captivating the hearts of visitors from every corner of the world,” he added.

Yeoh said Penang could expect an influx of curious travellers, eager to witness the state’s very-own Kek Chuan Road in Penang.

Source: New Straits Times

The Longest Bridge in Mainland Southeast Asia

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The Longest Bridge in Mainland Southeast Asia

The Second Penang Bridge is a stunning 24-kilometer-long (14.9-mile) structure that connects Penang Island and the Malaysia Peninsula, representing one of the most remarkable civil engineering feats of the past 20 years in the region. The bridge features precast segmental concrete marine viaducts in 55-meter (180-feet) span modules and a cast in-situ concrete cable-stayed bridge measuring 475 meters (1,558 feet) making it the longest bridge in Malaysia and the longest in Southeast Asia.

Working with the China Highway Planning and Design Institute (HPDI), AECOM was the consultant of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to provide feasibility studies, detailed design as well as pre-tendering and post-tendering services and site supervision since 2008.  AECOM’s team in Malaysia, together with engineers from the long-span and specialty bridges group, worked in the design, construction supervision, and construction engineering of this record-breaking project. AECOM also provided specialist consultancy on aerodynamics, navigation risk assessment and ship impact studies, seismic analyses, wind and structural health monitoring, fire hazard assessment, and resolution of construction challenges in the substantial marine piling operation. A special aspect of the project involved applying intelligent construction engineering techniques to enable successful erection of the 240-meter (787-feet) main span cable-stayed bridge over the main navigation channel.

“The Second Penang Bridge is subject to the merciless forces of nature, such as earthquakes, potential tsunamis, and wind, to name a few; and is exposed to a hostile marine environment. These challenges were overcome through meticulous planning and design, and the result is one of the world’s largest sea-crossing projects in recent years. We have helped accomplish an immense human endeavor; creating many innovations along the way.”

Dr. Robin Sham, AECOM’s global long-span and specialty bridges director

Pioneering Bridge Technology

In addition to its large size, this RM4.5-billion project pioneered new construction methods to minimize the risk caused by seismic activity near the Sunda tectonic plate, including the use of 2-meter-diameter (6.5-foot-diameter) bored piles founded to a depth in excess of more than 120 meters (394 feet) for the cable-stayed bridge, and the use of high-damping rubber bearings for seismic isolation of the marine viaducts.

The whole sea-crossing project introduced numerous innovations, including intelligent bridge geometry control, a lightweight form traveller machine for cable-stayed bridge erection, the extensive use of the statnamic pile-loading testing method and the use of high-damping rubber bearings for seismic isolation. The project also saw the most extensive use of precast hollow concrete spun piles in bridgework, and substantial driven tubular steel piles in a marine environment.