The operator of Macau’s TurboJet ferry, Shun Tak, is launching sightseeing cruises between the Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal and the Barra Pier – the first cruise route to make use of the ferry terminal.
The terminal has seen a steady drop in foot traffic since the pandemic, failing to return to its former levels as it cut down the daily number of sailings between Macau and Hong Kong.
Shun Tak’s ferry operations also faced competition not only from rival operator Cotai Water Jet (operated by Sands China), but also due to the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge – providing a new and cheaper avenue between the SARs.
Shun Tak, however, does operate the bus operation running across the HKZM bridge.
The new Outer Harbor-Barra cruise will have one daily roundtrip sailing, departing from the Outer Harbor at 10:30am and from Barra at 5:00pm.
The company also currently operates a sailing between the Barra Pier and Coloane Pier – costing MOP80 ($10) per person.
As of Thursday, tickets were not yet available for sale on Turbojet’s website for the new cruise route.
Interestingly, while Shun Tak is heavily-linked to legacy gaming operator SJM, under the zoning plans for Macau’s non-gaming development, the Barra District is under the oversight of MGM China, whose Chairperson Pansy Ho is also the Vice Chairman and CEO of Shun Tak.
