Hong Kong’s first electric ferry service to run 3 days a week during non-rush hours
Service between North Point and Hung Hom or Kowloon City tested with four daily trips, can offer 52 without recharging at full operation
Hong Kong’s first electric ferry is expected to run three days a week between North Point and Hung Hom or Kowloon City and can offer 52 single trips daily without recharging at full operation, environmental authorities have said.
Principal environmental protection officer Benny So King-lung said on Wednesday that the HK$65 million (US$8.4 million) vessel, named Xin Ming Zhu XXXIX and operated by Sun Ferry Services Company, had carried passengers in trial runs.
He added that services would be increased gradually following the successful completion of the test runs on Monday and March 31, which involved four single trips each day.
“Passengers gave positive feedback … The journey is quiet and has no diesel smell,” So said.
“The ferry is made of carbon fibre, which is lighter than a steel ferry by 70 per cent. The lighter weight can save the power needed and is more environmentally friendly.”
He added that the electric vessel would carry passengers during non-rush hours and soon step up its service to three days a week. So did not indicate when it would go into full operation.