Hong Kong’s first electric ferry is set to arrive in the city on Wednesday as part of a pilot scheme to explore the feasibility of more environmentally-friendly alternatives on the city’s waters. The boat, which will be operated by Sun Ferry, will undergo tests by the end of the year before being put into service between North Point and Hung Hom, the Environmental and Ecology Bureau said on Monday. Charging facilities have already been installed at the North Point Ferry Pier, the bureau said.
The ferry’s battery can operate for 12 hours on an eight-hour charge. The 35-metre ferry has capacity for 400 passengers, around the same as the traditional ferries currently operated by Sun Ferry. The ferry is also fitted with solar panels on its deck, while the interior has a bathroom and storage areas for bikes and baggage.
Vanessa Au, an assistant director of the Environmental Protection Department, told reporters on Friday that that using electric ferries would improve air quality around Victoria Harbour. Authorities would compare the efficiency of using electric and traditional ferries to inform future planning, she added. The ferry, manufactured by a factory in Guangzhou, in mainland China, will make its way to Hong Kong on Wednesday.
The ferry is the first of four that will arrive in Hong Kong under a HK$350 million government-subsidised pilot scheme . The other ferry operators involved will be Fortune Ferry, Coral Sea Ferry and Star Ferry. Acting Secretary for Environment .