New Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal to Boost Sabah’s Tourism Industry

The Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal has undergone a major facelift, and it was officially reopened on 18 May 2026. The upgrading complies with international safety standards. The facelift includes the integration of digital systems for its operations such electronic ticketing system and integrated passenger management. For more than two decades, the terminal served as the main gateway to the resort islands within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. Passenger traffic through the terminal increase from 388,395 visitors in 2024 to 552,369 in 2025.

“The facelift reflects the terminal’s status as a strategic infrastructure facility that will serve as a key catalyst for the development of Sabah’s tourism industry. It has played a significant role in strengthening tourism offerings, particularly in the island and marine tourism segments, which are among the State’s core tourism products, and especially in Kota Kinabalu,” Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said at the opening ceremony of the new terminal on 18 May 2026.

The ferry terminal is located within the RM9.2 billion-Jesselton Waterfront City development, which is set to reshape Kota Kinabalu’s waterfront landscape into a world-class destination. The terminal is expected to accommodate the increasing number of passengers in line with the growing tourist arrivals, which reached 3.8 million in 2025, an increase of more than 20 per cent compared to 2024, generating RM8.7 billion in tourism revenue. Sabah aims to achieve 4 million tourists by 2026. Hajiji noted that State-owned Suria Capital Holdings Berhad and its subsidiary, Suria Bumiria Sdn Bhd, have successfully developed another landmark in Kota Kinabalu City to connect visitors to island clusters such as Manukan, Gaya, Sapi and Mamutik, as well as surrounding islands, thereby strengthening the city’s role as one of the country’s main maritime tourism hubs.

The successful upgrading initiative reflects the importance of synergy between the Government, Government-linked Companies (GLCs) and the private sector in realising the State’s development agenda, Hajiji said. The terminal will create more business opportunities which is in line with the aspirations of Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0, which emphasises high-impact economic growth, the empowerment of the blue economy and sustainable tourism as among the main pillars of the State’s development, Hajiji added. “The terminal and its tourism initiative is part of a long-term strategy to further strengthen Sabah’s position as a competitive and advanced maritime tourism hub,” the CM said. “The State Government remains committed to ensuring that this development is implemented responsibly, in line with environmental conservation and the well-being of local communities, so that the progress achieved is comprehensive.”

Datuk Ewon Benedick, Deputy Chief Minister III cum Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, delivered the CM’s speech.