(Central News Agency reporter Cai Zhiming, Chiayi County, 21st) Jiaxian Budai Commercial Port is an important port to and from Penghu, with more than 270,000 people coming and going so far this year. In order to provide a better travel experience, the shipping company spent 240 million to build a new passenger ship “Taji Star No. 3” which made its maiden voyage today, with a full load of 400 people departing for Penghu.
Haiyou Shipping Co., Ltd. spent NT$240 million to build a new passenger ship “Taji Star No. 3”. The maiden voyage ceremony was held at 10 am. Chiayi County Deputy Magistrate Liu Peidong, Budai Town Mayor Cai Weijie, Yizhu Township Mayor Huang Zhengjie, etc. People attended the ribbon cutting. After the inaugural voyage ceremony, after drumming and lion dancing to pray for blessings, a “throwing good luck” ceremony was arranged, and mochi were thrown from the boat to the people. This fishing village has a unique custom of new boats sailing. Because the Taiwanese pronunciation of “糬” and “Qian” are very similar, it symbolizes returning with a full load and earning a lot of money.
Liu Peidong said in a joint interview with the media that before the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) epidemic, more than 500,000 people traveled from Budai to and from Penghu every year. The number of people coming and going; “Taji Star No. 3” was launched just when the tourism wave recovered after the epidemic. It is expected that more people will come to Budai for a boat trip to stimulate tourism consumption.
Liu Peidong said that Budai Commercial Port in Chiayi County currently provides the Happy Xiaohuang service. People can directly make reservations to take the high-speed rail Chiayi Station, and there are also shared taxis.
“Tai Ji Star No. 3” arrived at Magong Port. Penghu County Mayor Chen Guangfu and Deputy County Mayor Lin Jiexing welcomed the people in the port area. The shipping company set off firecrackers in accordance with the tradition and prepared Wangan fried dates, brown sugar cakes, mochi, etc. Throw it to the people on the shore to share the joy.
Chen Guangfu said that Taiwan and Penghu’s overseas shipping, including Kaohsiung, Tainan, Budai Port, Magong, Longmen Port, Budai route, in addition to Taiwan Airlines’ Taiwan China Line, also includes Mantianxing, Kaiyou, Haiyou and In addition to Belle and other 4 shipping companies operating 8 passenger ships, the maximum daily transportation capacity can reach 10,000 passengers. Today, “Taji Star No. 3” is added, which greatly increases the transportation capacity during the peak sightseeing season in Penghu and effectively relieves the burden of air transportation.
The aluminum alloy catamaran fast passenger ship “Taji Star No. 3” designed and built by a Singapore company has a black and gold color scheme and a streamlined appearance. It has a gross tonnage of 498 tons, a length of 42.8 meters, a width of 10.3 meters, and a capacity of 400 passengers. . The full speed can reach 43 knots, the economical speed is 38 knots, and it only takes one hour to reach Penghu. The interior seats are spacious and comfortable. Taking advantage of the Fireworks Festival boom, it is estimated that more than 40,000 people will take the boat back and forth during the Dragon Boat Festival this year. (Editor: Sun Chengwu) 1120621
Reference
(Editor: Sun Chengwu) 1120621
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/ahel/202306210157.aspx
