The 2024 Chinese New Year holiday begins from February 8 (Chinese New Year’s Eve) to February 14 (the fifth day of the Chinese New Year), totaling seven consecutive days of vacation. Accordingly, the Maritime and Port Bureau (MPB) will initiate a special maritime transport program from February 7 to February 15 to address the anticipated concentration of travelers returning home or visiting various destinations due to the slightly shorter holiday period compared with previous years. The MPB has coordinated with maritime transport operators to fully increase the overall transport capacity, with an expected 1,182 voyages across eight routes between Taiwan’s main island and outlying islands. The transport capacity is expected to increase to approximately 240,789 passengers. In addition, 180 voyages are planned for the routes covering the Matsu, Kinmen, and Xiamen areas, which are estimated to serve 50,284 passengers. The program will ensure smooth and joyful travel for the public.
The MPB emphasizes the safety of maritime travel and ensures the security management of passenger vessels. By the end of December 2023, a comprehensive safety inspection of passenger vessels was completed in preparation for the Western New Year and Chinese New Year holidays. The public can access essential vessel information through QR codes displayed at maritime stations or on the vessels themselves. Travelers can also report any safety problems through an online platform in real time to facilitate collective monitoring among the public.
In response to the recent uptrend in respiratory diseases in China, the Centers for Disease Control of the Ministry of Health and Welfare has been providing free rapid test kits at the Shuitou Pier, Kinmen, for inbound travelers from the Mini-Three Links since January 17. The MPB has specifically requested that vessels on domestic passenger routes continue to maintain daily cleaning and disinfection of key areas. Additionally, regular cleaning and disinfection operations are conducted for critical areas at ferry terminals, including passenger paths and restrooms. The MPB emphasizes the importance of preventing the spread of influenza and pneumonia during the Chinese New Year holidays by continuing to promote respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette practices through LED tickers and announcements at maritime passenger terminals. Passengers are advised to wear masks throughout their stay at terminals and on vessels to protect themselves and others.
In response to adverse weather or other force majeure events that affect ferry operations during the transport period, the MPB requires operators to post notices at business premises and passenger waiting areas and to make relevant announcements via the Internet, broadcasts, and other multimedia means. Moreover, the MPB will promptly update the operational status of vessels on its official website (visit http://www.motcmpb.gov.tw/ and select Public Service and then Passenger Vessel Schedule to access relevant information). In addition, it will remind the public to check weather forecasts and confirm the latest ship schedules before their holiday travels, allowing passengers to plan or adjust their itineraries in advance.
Depending on sea conditions and weather, the MPB will initiate a sea–air liaison mechanism by coordinating with the Civil Aeronautics Administration to arrange extra flights for passenger transport. The MPB will also establish a mutual support mechanism for operators on the various ferry routes, namely the Taiwan–Matsu, Taiwan–Penghu, Taiwan–Liuqiu, and eastern Taiwan routes as well as the Mini Three Links at Matsu and Kinmen, to efficiently handle any emergency circumstances such as vessel malfunctions.
For emergency needs during the Chinese New Year, the MPB provides emergency numbers for contacting different maritime affairs centers: North Maritime Affairs Center (02)8978-3530, Central Maritime Affairs Center 0963-138735, South Maritime Affairs Center (07)262-0762, and East Maritime Affairs Center (03)823-0172.
Contact Person: Section Chief Ming-Tsung Teng, Maritime Affairs Division
Contact Number: 02-8978-6295、0920-837-075
