By
Justin Merrigan |
Since its inception in 2014, Majestic Fast Ferry has rapidly established itself as a key player on Singapore Strait, offering high-speed connections between Singapore and Indonesia’s Riau Islands. Under the leadership of managing director Max Tan, the company has built the youngest fleet in the region and set a new standard for passenger ferry operations in Southeast Asia.
Launched with just a handful of vessels operating between Singapore and Batam, Majestic Fast Ferry was born out of a desire to raise the bar for comfort, safety and efficiency in a market long dominated by older tonnage. Tan and his partners saw an opportunity to reshape the passenger experience through modern vessels, clear branding and a hands-on operational model.
“As an owner and operator, it was the right move as we worked well with our partners to create a product that is different and stands out from the existing players,” says Tan. “Being the youngest player meant we had to build ferries to the latest High Speed Craft codes – and that’s what took us to the next level.”
Those newer vessels gave Majestic Fast Ferry a commercial and operational edge. With an expanding fleet designed and constructed in close partnership with Incat Crowther in Sydney, Australia, and PT Cahaya Samudra Shipyard in Batam, the company quickly extended its network to cover key routes such as Singapore–Batam Centre, Sekupang and Tanjung Pinang. In an increasingly competitive cross-border market, Majestic Fast Ferry has been able to offer passengers a more modern and reliable experience while maintaining high levels of safety and efficiency.
Still, challenges persist – and many are beyond the control of operators. One of the biggest concerns for Majestic Fast Ferry is the impact of post-pandemic immigration policy on passenger numbers. “We have yet to see Indonesia relax the visa on arrival (VOA) requirement,” says Tan. “Pre-Covid, travellers from over 150 countries didn’t need to have a visa when arriving in Indonesia. Since Covid, there is now a VOA fee of around $10 per person for non-ASEAN passport holders. As a result, our passenger numbers haven’t fully recovered.”
Tan is quick to point out the contrast with neighbouring countries. “If you look at Southeast Asia – Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand – they are all visa-free. But Indonesia still requires VOA, and it affects our ridership. The result is a drag on recovery despite strong fundamentals in demand and service capability.”
While navigating these policy headwinds, Majestic Fast Ferry is also planning for a lower-emissions future. The company is already exploring a range of fuel alternatives, though Tan is realistic about the pace of technological change in the region. “Our engines are approved for B30 biodiesel at this moment, and last year Majestic Fast Ferry and MTU entered into a memorandum of understanding to study the use of B50 and higher,” he says. “Hydrotreated vegetable oil is another alternative energy, but we feel that within Southeast Asia, bio-marine gas oils will be the next source of green energy.”
Despite growing pressure to embrace greener propulsion systems, current options are not a perfect fit for Majestic Fast Ferry’s fleet, says Tan. “For the size of vessels we have, we still need to wait for makers to come out with a better fuel-to-power ratio. The current green energy options are not workable for us due to space constraints.”
That sense of pragmatism – recognising opportunity while respecting technical limitations – runs through much of Majestic Fast Ferry’s operating philosophy. As the company looks to the next five to 10 years, Tan sees a future shaped by both innovation and continuity. “We want to stay ahead of the curve – not just in terms of vessel technology but also in our service culture,” he says. “Expansion is always on the table, but it has to be smart growth. At the same time, we’re mentoring the next generation of maritime professionals, because continuity in leadership and values is just as important as new engines or faster hulls.”
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