A new ferry route between the outlying island of Matsu, in Lienchiang County, and China’s Fujian Province is scheduled to be launched in July, shortening travel time between the two sides by about 70 minutes.
Currently, the only ferries between the two sides operate between Fuao Harbor in Matsu’s Nangan Township (南竿) and Mawei in Fuzhou City in China, and a single trip takes about 90 minutes, County Commissioner Liu Cheng-ying (劉增應) said.
The new route between Matsu’s Beigan Township (北竿) and Fujian’s Huangqi Peninsula is expected to shorten the travel time to just 20 minutes, Liu said.
Construction on a floating pier and terminal in Huangqi has been completed, while a floating pier in Beigan is still under construction, said Liu, who estimated that all construction work would be completed by the end of next month.
The new ferry route is expected to boost tourism between Matsu and China, and make it easier for travelers from Taiwan proper to travel to China through Matsu.
In addition to the new ferry service, Liu said the new 5,000-tonne cargo-passenger ship Taima Star, which is to sail between Matsu and Keelung, is expected to begin service in July.
Construction on the new passenger ship Tunghai Pearl, which is to sail between Matsu’s Nangan and Juguang (莒光) townships, will also be completed soon, the Lienchiang County Government said.
Liu said he hopes the series of new services would make transportation to, from and within Matsu more convenient, improve winter tourism on the island and increase Matsu’s overall competitiveness.
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