TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Foul weather could impact ferry services between Taiwan and its outlying islands during the Lunar New Year holidays, reports said Thursday.
Services between Taitung and Green Island have been canceled on Jan. 27, according to the local government one of the busiest days for travel, per CNA. From Jan. 28, ship captains will decide whether or not to set sail.
The official Lunar New Year holiday period lasts from Jan. 25 until Feb. 2 and counts as one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The Maritime and Port Bureau said other routes under threat were the services between Taitung and Orchid Island, and between Keelung and Matsu.
The government department counseled travelers to watch the weather report and to visit its website where the latest information would be added each day at 2 p.m.
Eight ferry routes between Taiwan and its outlying islands and four routes between Kinmen and Matsu and China had 396,242 seats available during the Lunar New Year period, CNA reported.
The bureau said that in the case of cancellations, the ferry operators should provide clear information by any means possible, including online and at harbor waiting rooms.
Travelers were also advised to avoid peak-hour traffic, especially on the line between Donggang and the island of Xiaoliuqiu in Pingtung. The bureau said it would tell ferry operators to add extra services in case of overcrowding.