As the 2026 Lunar New Year holiday draws to a close, the Maritime and Port Bureau (MPB) reported that its passenger ships carried an average of 18,000 passengers per day during the holiday period, representing a 10% increase compared with the previous year. Particularly, the eight domestic routes connecting Taiwan’s main and offshore islands operated a total of 1,086 sailings and transported 131,000 passengers, with an average load factor of approximately 57%. Meanwhile, the four Mini-Three-Links routes between Kinmen/Matsu and China operated 342 sailings and carried 53,000 passengers, with an average load factor of approximately 59%. The MPB noted that weather conditions during this year’s holiday period were generally favorable, contributing to increased travel demand. Passenger volumes on the Donggang–Xiaoliuqiu, Kee-lung–Matsu, and Kaohsiung–Magong routes each recorded a growth of nearly 20%. In response to weather fluctuations during the holiday period, MPB also flexibly implemented the “sea-air joint transport mechanism” to ensure smooth passenger travel.
  The MPB explained that during the Lunar New Year holiday, it closely monitored weath-er conditions on all routes daily. On Feb. 15, the day before Lunar New Year’s Eve, all flights at the Matsu Airport were suspended throughout the day due to dense fog. The MPB immediately coordinated additional maritime transport capacity by postponing the morning departure of the New Taima passenger and cargo ship from Matsu to Keelung to 12:00 p.m. The MPB also worked with the Civil Aviation Administration and Lienchiang County Government to encourage travelers to take passenger ship services instead, increasing transport capacity for an additional 277 passengers and carrying a total of 329 passengers on that sailing. Later that evening, taking into consideration subsequent sea conditions and post-holiday transport demand, the MPB further arranged an additional sailing of the Taima Star, transporting 244 passengers to ensure uninter-rupted transportation services. 
  In addition, during the post-holiday peak travel period on the Penghu routes from Feb. 20 (Fri.) to Feb. 22 (Sun.), maritime transport also played a key role in diverting passenger traffic in addition to air services for travelers returning to Taiwan’s main island. On Feb. 20, the Penghu Cruise service from Magong to Kaohsiung reached a 100% load factor. Through media outreach promoting passenger diversion over the following two days (Feb. 21 and 22), load factors re-mained high at 99% and 93%, respectively, demonstrating the effectiveness of the sea-air joint transport mechanism.

  The MPB reminded travelers that maritime transport operations for the upcoming 228 Peace Memorial Day long weekend will continue through Mar. 2. Passengers boarding passenger ships are reminded to carry identification documents for real-name verification procedures. In ad-dition, portable power banks must be carried onboard and are strictly prohibited from checked baggage to ensure navigational safety. Daily sailing updates are available after 2:00 p.m. on the MPB official website under the “Lunar New Year and 228 Holiday Maritime Transport Infor-mation” section (https://reurl.cc/rEQp0Z). Travelers are encouraged to plan their itineraries in ad-vance and return home safely.

Contact person: Section Chief Wen-yun Tu of the Maritime Affairs Division
Tel.: 02-89788020