According to the Macau Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA), there are now 76 ferry services per day on the Hong Kong-Macau route, which translates to around four ferry services per hour during peak and regular times.
In response to questions from the Legislative Assembly, DSAMA said Wednesday that there are currently 14 high-speed passenger vessels providing services on the Hong Kong-Macau route, while hydrofoil jetfoil services had also been put in place in recent weeks.
“At present, there are about 76 ferry services per day (each way) on the Hong Kong-Macau route, which translates into almost four ferry services per hour – an increase of four times compared with the initial period of resumption [on 8 January],” the DSAMA said.
It noted that passenger numbers are currently averaging around 60% to 70% of pre-COVID levels, highlighting the fact that most journeys still have considerable capacity yet to be filled.
“DSAMA will also coordinate with shipping companies to operate additional flights to meet demand during peak periods,” the Bureau added.
TurboJET’s Director of Macau Services Division, Alfred Ng, told IAG last month that sailings would be increased by May and would reach about 60 sailings per day between Hong Kong and Macau.
“By that time, TurboJET will be able to operate a service to Hong Kong every 15 minutes from the Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal and Taipa Ferry Terminal,” said Ng at the time.
According to the Macau Statistics and Census Service, there were 88,063 flights to and from Hong Kong and Macau in 2019, an average of 241 flights per day.