Yaima Line will begin operating the Ishigaki–Keelung route from May 28.
The ferry “Yaima Maru” that will operate the route is 160 meters in length and 25 meters in width, with a passenger capacity of approximately 545. It is registered in Panama. It previously operated under the names “Sunflower Kuroshio” and “PanStar Dream.”
Ishigaki Island and Keelung, located near Taipei in Taiwan, are about 270 kilometers apart, and the journey takes around 8 hours. Reservations and ticket purchases cannot be made through the website; they are handled by designated travel agencies. Boarding without a reservation, or making reservations and purchases on the day of departure, is not possible.
Initially, there will be one round trip per week, with departures from Ishigaki on Sundays and from Keelung on Thursdays. From June 30 to August 31, the service will be expanded to two round trips per week, with departures from Ishigaki on Wednesdays and Sundays, and from Keelung on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The departure/arrival terminal on Ishigaki Island will be either Ishigaki Port Terminal or Ishigaki Port International Terminal. In Keelung, the ferry will berth at Pier 19, and passengers will be transported to the terminal by bus. Normally, transfers will be to the East Coast Passenger Center, but depending on circumstances, the West Coast Passenger Center may be used instead.
