The relatively short distance and travel time between the Port of Taichung and China’s Fujian Province across the Taiwan Strait, coupled with recent discount incentives on ferry fares between the two, have fueled a nearly 70% rise in Cross-Strait passenger numbers in January – August 2018 compared to the same period last year - the largest rise in nearly 5 years.
The high-speed ferry Haixiahao provides regular passenger services between the Port of Taichung and Pingtan, Fujian every Monday, Thursday, and Sunday, while the Cosco Star provides a once-weekly service from the Port of Taichung to Xiamen, Fujian on Mondays. For business, family, pleasure, or even religious exchange, the Port of Taichung is a convenient and efficient platform from which to launch a trip to southeastern China. The Port of Taichung noted that between January and August of this year, the port processed 53,084 ferry passengers, representing a 66.43% jump over the 31,896 processed during the same period last year (2017) and a growth rate not seen for nearly five years.
Officials at the Port of Taichung further stated that as part of efforts to improve passenger services, the port is currently implementing significant upgrades to passenger facilities. Work on multifunctional Wharf 18 that was completed last year has significantly expanded passenger ship handling capabilities beyond the port’s original passenger wharf (Wharf 19). Moreover, a covered walkway now connects wharf-side passenger boarding areas with the passenger terminal building. Furthermore, the port has worked with city authorities to open a new bus shuttle line (310) to provide quick and convenience service between the Port of Taichung Passenger Terminal and TRA Taichung (train) Station. Finally, the port will open two new passenger footbridges this year to make ferry embarkation and disembarkation safer and easier than ever.
In addition to providing an effective platform for commercial cargo and passenger transportation, the Port of Taichung is working diligently to diversify its operations into the retail and tourism sectors. The port is restructuring its space in order to increase the availability and accessibility of water recreation facilities and to add new attractions for visitors. Examples of these include Sea Goddess Mazu-themed installation art, picture-perfect fields of day lilies, the 3rd floor observation deck in the Passenger Terminal, bicycle trails, wind-turbine views along Huangang North Road, public shore-fishing areas, and the brand-new Mitsui Outlet Park, which will open at the end of this year. The Port of Taichung is pulling out all of the stops to create a multifaceted hub that extends beyond business and pleasure transportation into leisure and recreation and will transform the port into the Taiwan Strait’s newest and brightest spotlight for coastal tourism and recreation.
Provided by：Stevedoring and Warehousing Business Division, Port of Taichung, TIPC
Contact Person：Chao-yi Lee, Manager
Telephone No.：04-26642292
E-mail Address：chaoyi@twport.com.tw