To facilitate public access to yacht information and services, the Maritime and Port Bureau (MPB) has integrated various yacht services and launched “YaPo, Taiwan Yacht Portal.” An inauguration ceremony was held today (December 27, 2023) to officially unveil the website. The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests from both the public and private sectors, including Deputy Director Chin-Hsing Kuo of the Marine Resource Division, Ocean Affairs Council; Deputy Director Min-Chieh Wang of the Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area Headquarters, Tourism Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications; and Vice President Yao-Chih Lu of the Taipei University of Marine Technology. Representatives from yacht associations and the yacht industry also graced the event, including Chairperson Po-Jui Chen of the Taiwan Yacht and Sailboat Association; Chairperson Ming-Hua Chung of the Taiwan Yacht–Harbor Management Association; Chairperson Chao-Nan Chen of the Taiwan Yacht Industry Association; General Manager Yu-Shu Tang of Argo Yacht Club; Chairperson Ying-Sheng Wang of the Nantou County Ferry and Yacht Business Association; Chief Operating Officer Fei-Hong Lin of Hiwing Marine; and Chief Executive Officer Keng-Hao Chang of the Conflux Yacht Club. The guests in attendance affirmed and supported the newly upgraded one-stop, comprehensive services provided by YaPo and offered numerous suggestions and their expectations.
According to Director General Hsieh-Lung Yeh of MPB, yachting has become a popular avenue for the public to connect with the ocean. To promote yacht construction and activity, MPB has vigorously worked on four major directions this year, achieving new developments and results. In terms of system enhancement, following the launch of the “Yacht Pass” website in April 2022, which provides various yacht-related information from the perspective of yacht enthusiasts, MPB further integrated related online services in 2023. YaPo offers a one-stop service, integrating four major functions: yacht departure and arrival, yacht docking application, yacht departure notification, and yacht tourism information. Officially launched today, the website’s multimedia section notably incorporates virtual reality videos, offering yacht enthusiasts a novel experience through virtual reality. Next year (2024), the website will undergo further optimization, including the introduction of multi-port entry and exit, streamlining the application process for non-exclusive berthing areas, and enhancing system fluidity. Additionally, there have been new developments in promoting yacht licensing tests this year. The immediate test and assessment system for theoretical tests was implemented on March 17. The retest system is expected to be completed in the first half of next year, and by the end of September, the public will be able to retake tests at the Navigation Center, facilitating licensing examination.
In terms of regulatory relaxation, MPB is actively revising the regulations concerning the yacht industry in The Law of Ships, aiming to ease the operational restrictions for non-private yachts while simultaneously enhancing public safety for yachts. Regarding yacht facilities, MPB is promoting a berth area development project to enhance yacht berthing infrastructure, expecting to increase the number of berths from 1,388 to over 1,600. To promote yachting activities this year, MPB, in collaboration with the Tourism Administration and local governments, organized several events including the Keelung Chaojing Bay Festival, Tainan International Yacht Lifestyle Festival, Kaohsiung Marine Party, and Pingtung Dapeng Bay Marine Festival, attracting over 300,000 visitors.
Today marks the official launch of “YaPo, Taiwan Yacht Portal,” a significant step forward in enhancing yacht services in Taiwan. MPB is committed to collaborating with various sectors to accelerate the vibrant development of the yacht industry and activities, aiming to transform the yacht industry into a billion-dollar maritime industry.
For more information about “YaPo, Taiwan Yacht Portal,” please visit (https://yachtintaiwan.azurewebsites.net/) or call 02-8978-2900; for other maritime-related activities, follow the “Maritime and Port Bureau” fan page to receive the latest updates.
Contact:
Section Chief Yi-Fei Chen, Port Affairs Division 02-8978-6832
Section Chief Yi-Chiao Huang, Seafarers Administration Division 02-8978-8036