quality:corruption, structural:expansion, information:filtering
Sea

Formerly a vital British entrepôt, Penang's maritime trade has significantly declined due to the loss of George Town 's free-port status in 1969 and the concurrent development of Port Klang near the federal capital Kuala Lumpur. Despite this, the Port of Penang remains the primary harbour for northwestern Malaysia and southern Thailand. It handled more than 1.4 million TEUs of cargo in 2023, the third highest among Malaysia's seaports.

Swettenham Pier, situated within downtown George Town, accommodates cruise ships and is one of the major entry points into the city. In 2017, Swettenham Pier recorded 125 port calls, surpassing Port Klang as the busiest cruise shipping terminal in Malaysia. The pier has attracted some of the world's largest cruise liners, such as the Queen Mary 2, and also sees occasional port visits by warships.

The cross-strait Penang ferry service connects George Town and Seberang Perai, and was formerly the only transportation link between the island city and the mainland until the completion of the Penang Bridge in 1985. At present, three ferries ply the Penang Strait between both cities daily.