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As part of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ initiative to promote marine tourism through the Blue Highway, the Penghu Ferry launched its Penghu–Keelung route with a trial voyage on August 25–26. This event also marked the final trial sailing of the 2025 Blue Highway Maritime Tourism Carnival. A total of 565 passengers joined the voyage, with the sleeper cabin occupancy rate reaching 94%. Some passengers adopted the Fly-Cruise travel model, flying first to Penghu for sightseeing and then returning to Keelung via the Blue Highway night ferry. This arrangement not only saved the cost of one night’s accommodation but also allowed travelers to enjoy a variety of onboard entertainment, including live band performances, street artist shows, and cinema screenings. These activities created a festive maritime atmosphere blending music, film, stargazing, and harbor scenery. The return voyage, which departed Keelung at 8 p.m. on the 26th, featured a guided introduction by a design director on the vessel’s aesthetic concepts. The presentation invited passengers to embrace a “downshifting” travel philosophy, highlighting the theme “Travel Begins with Boarding.”

The 2025 Blue Highway Maritime Tourism Carnival, promoted by the Maritime and Port Bureau (MPB), commenced in July and has gradually launched five new routes nationwide, comprising three limited trial voyages and two regular routes. By late July and mid-August, the Keelung–Hualien and Budai–Penghu–Kinmen routes had been completed. During this period, the New Taima Ferry carried a total of 569 passengers on the Keelung–Hualien route, with the sleeper cabin occupancy rate reaching approximately 73%. Onboard activities such as magic performances and guided interpretation of the Qingshui Cliff landscape further enriched the travel experience. The Budai–Penghu–Kinmen route offered a dual-island excursion and demonstrated its functional value when typhoon-related flight cancellations required the activation of contingency Plan B. This adjustment successfully assisted in the transport of over 100 stranded passengers back to Taiwan, demonstrating the effective integration of transportation and tourism services. The MPB also announced additional voyages scheduled between August and September, including the regular Tainan Anping–Penghu Magong route. Preparations are underway for the international Keelung–Ishigaki route, which will be launched when ready. The MPB invites passengers to experience these new Blue Highway itineraries.

Director-General Hsieh-lung Yeh emphasized that the Blue Highway serves not only as a tourism route but also as a vital channel for transportation and emergency response to offshore islands. In particular, during periods of heavy fog or sudden transportation disruptions, the activation of maritime backup mechanisms ensures temporary transport services. For instance, the Suhua backup route can guarantee at least one sailing on the day following activation, underscoring the Blue Highway’s dual role in both tourism promotion and transport safety. In addition, the MPB is preparing to build Taiwan’s first demonstration cruise vessel, scheduled for completion in 2029. Beyond supporting the expansion of domestic tourism routes, the vessel will also be equipped to undertake emergency evacuation operations and transport vehicles and cargo in the event of a disaster, thereby fulfilling both tourism and contingency functions.

Director-General Yeh further explained that passengers on this trial voyage of the Penghu Ferry had the opportunity to experience the newly opened passenger service center at Magong Port, which began operation in April 2025. The center integrates ticketing, boarding, customs clearance, and tourism information services, while also incorporating smart features such as electronic voyage information, self-service ticketing kiosks, and free Wi-Fi. These measures will enhance the efficiency and convenience of the boarding process. Regarding the vessel itself, the Penghu Ferry, introduced in September 2023 for the Kaohsiung–Magong route, has received multiple awards for design aesthetics. The vessel has a capacity of 600 passengers and provides a range of cabin classes. Onboard facilities, including a cafe, restaurant, and children’s playroom, further enrich the overall travel experience.

Looking forward, the MPB aims to continue promoting the integrated development of navigation, ports, vessels, and tourism by collaborating with shipping companies and local governments to create more diverse and distinctive marine tourism offerings. The Blue Highway is envisioned not only as an enhanced option for domestic travel but also as a critical link for transportation between offshore islands and as a driving force for the sustainable development of marine tourism.

Contact Person: Wen-yun Tu, Section Chief, Maritime Affairs Division

Contact Number: 02-89788020