The Maritime and Port Bureau (MPB) of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) held a press conference this afternoon (May 6) at the West Pier 3 Passenger Terminal of the Port of Keelung to officially launch the 2026 Blue Highway Marine Tourism Carnival. Compared with the previous year (2025), this year’s program features expanded voyage operations, an earlier launch beginning in May, and deeper integration of four key elements: shipping, ports, vessels, and tourism. A convoy of 22 supercars was displayed at the venue to showcase the passenger and cargo transport capabilities of the Penghu Ferry and the distinctive appeal of Blue Highway self-drive tourism. Minister Shih-kai Chen of MOTC, Speaker Tzu-wei Tung of the Keelung City Council, Director-General Yu-hsiu Chen of the Tourism Administration, Chairman Yung-hui Chou and President Chin-jung Wang of Taiwan International Ports Corporation, Director-General Hsieh-lung Yeh of the MPB, Chairman Wen-ching Liu of Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd., and representatives from local governments attended the event to witness the inauguration of three featured maritime routes for 2026. By integrating local festivals and tourism activities with the popular Baby Shark intellectual property franchise, the program aims to further promote marine tourism and encourage the public to rediscover Taiwan’s maritime charm.   During his remarks, MOTC Minister Chen stated that people in Taiwan have traditionally been accustomed to viewing the ocean from land, rather than viewing their own country and islands from the sea. He noted that the MOTC and the MPB achieved strong results last year (2025) through the promotion of Blue Highway routes, allowing the public to experience Taiwan from a different perspective through maritime transportation. Minister Chen also announced that the MOTC has proposed a shipbuilding initiative to the Executive Yuan, with a projected investment exceeding NT$3 billion to construct an 8,000-ton-class national tourism and emergency-response vessel by 2029. The vessel is expected to enhance operational capacity through collaboration with major shipping operators, integrate local characteristics through partnerships with local governments, and cooperate with the travel industry to create a more comprehensive tourism experience in which travelers can enjoy activities both onboard and onshore.   MPB Director-General Yeh stated that, building on the successful pilot program launched last year, the scale of this year’s carnival has been further expanded. Voyage services will begin earlier in May and align seamlessly with the Penghu International Fireworks Festival, with scheduled sailings continuing through August to provide travelers with more flexible and diverse travel options. He also emphasized the concept that “travel begins onboard,” highlighting a new service model designed to deliver a multi-sensory travel experience. Using the Penghu Ferry as an example, Yeh noted that passengers can enjoy local Penghu specialties such as squid and pumpkin rice noodles, while also participating in newly introduced onboard activities, including coin-operated karaoke and aromatherapy essential oil DIY workshops, thereby enhancing the voyage through culinary, auditory, and olfactory experiences. In addition to the popular supercar self-drive tours, this year’s program also incorporates local tourism festivals and events to provide the public with new and diverse travel experiences.   The carnival is jointly organized by the MPB, the Tourism Administration, and multiple shipping operators and travel agencies, and will feature seven round-trip voyages. These include the Keelung–Penghu route from May 5–7, the Budai–Penghu–Kinmen island-hopping routes in June and July, and limited summer sailings between Keelung and Hualien in July and August. Yeh further noted that service quality has been comprehensively upgraded this year. In addition to enhanced travel itineraries, the program incorporates the highly popular Baby Shark franchise to increase family-oriented appeal and encourage closer engagement with marine tourism. Looking ahead, the MPB will continue encouraging cross-sector collaboration among industry stakeholders to improve the overall tourism environment and further establish the Blue Highway as an in-depth travel product connecting local culture and the tourism industry. Contact Person: Wen-yun Tu, Section Chief, Shipping Affairs Division Tel.: 02-89788020

Operational Guidelines for International Cruise Ships as Home Ports in Taiwan and Guidelines for International Cruise Ships Calling at Ports for Inbound Travel are approved by the Central Epidemic Command Center on 2022.10.24.