In recent years, the Maritime and Port Bureau (MPB) of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) has actively promoted Taiwan’s Taiwan Blue Highway brand “TAIWAN Hi.” By focusing on the four key dimensions of sailing, ports, vessels, and tourism, the MPB has improved the quality of maritime passenger services. With support from the Executive Yuan and the MOTC, the MPB collaborated closely with the Taitung County Government to proactively implement the Taitung County Subsidy Program for Renewal and Replacement of Privately-Owned Passenger Vessels, as part of the Executive Yuan-approved Sixth Phase Offshore Islands Comprehensive Development Implementation Plan. Today (March 28), Taiwan’s first renewed civilian passenger ship, the Uranus 21, held its maiden voyage ceremony at Taitung’s Fugang Harbor, witnessed by Taitung County Magistrate Ching-ling Yao and MPB Director General Hsieh-lung Yeh, bringing new vitality to maritime transport operations for Taitung’s offshore islands.
MPB Director General Yeh stated that, in order to enhance the quality and safety of maritime transport services to offshore islands and to encourage passenger vessel operators to replace aging ships, the MPB offers subsidies of up to NT$60 million for the construction of new vessels replacing passenger ships over 25 years old. The Uranus 21, operated by Tsang Jai Shipping, has a gross tonnage of 488 and a passenger capacity of 352. With the supervision and assistance of the Taitung County Government and the MPB’s Offshore Island Vessel Renewal Program Task Force, the new ship integrates the aesthetics of the TAIWAN Hi brand, incorporates advancements in navigational safety management (NSM), and introduces improvements in crew qualification mechanisms, while complying with regulations on accessible facilities, energy conservation, carbon reduction, and the use of environmentally friendly fuels. The vessel is equipped with luggage racks to further enhance the safety and comfort of maritime services. In addition, to safeguard the basic transportation needs of offshore island residents, the Uranus 21 is required to fulfill a six-year obligation by providing at least 50 trips annually between Taitung and Green Island during the off-peak season. In the future, it will also serve as a critical backup vessel for emergency maritime transportation along the Suao–Hualien route.
Magistrate Yao stated that Taitung is the only county in Taiwan that faces the Pacific Ocean and possesses two offshore islands. Over time, Fugang Harbor and its passenger vessels have undergone various transitions to meet the growing tourism demands of Green Island and Orchid Island. With the support and assistance of the MOTC and the MPB, substantial investments have been made to progressively develop it into a modern, dual-purpose port and build maritime transport facilities that serve both commercial and fishing needs.
The maiden voyage ceremony of the Uranus 21 marks a new chapter in transportation between Taitung and Green Island. In addition, additional new vessels, including the Kai Shiuan 9 and the Green Island Star 9, are scheduled to enter service later this year. The MPB, in collaboration with the Taitung County Government, will continue working together to enhance the service quality of maritime transport routes to the eastern offshore islands, ensuring that local residents and travelers alike can enjoy safer, more convenient, and more comfortable maritime services.
Contact Information:
Chief Chia-hua Hu, East Maritime Affairs Center: 03-8230018
