CotaiJet Now Officially Sailing From Taipa

Written on November 30, 2007 by a2zMacau

Cotai Waterjet (Macau) Limited will begin officially sailing from the Taipa Temporary Ferry Terminal. Although the terminal was opened on October 16, neither of the two companies granted a license to operate from the facility was ready to sail.

Courtesy: Destination Macau

Cotai Waterjet, owned by Las Vegas Sands Corporation, blamed the delay on the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal who was yet to grant the company berthing rights. Executives from Las Vegas Sands Corporation and the Venetian Macao will join Macau’s newest ferry operator today for a blessing ceremony of the new fleet.

The ferries will begin operating from tomorrow. “The luxurious new fleet of CotaiJet catamarans will serve unprecedented routes between Hong Kong and Cotai, Macau: Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal to Taipa Ferry Terminal,” a statement released by the Venetian Macao said.

The 48 metre long ferries, delivered by Australian shipbuilder, Austral, can carry 400 passengers at a speed of up to 42 knots.

Controversy surrounding the new ferry terminal has been building. Pansy Ho Hung-sun, managing director of the existing Macau to Hong Kong ferry operator, Shun Tak Holdings Limited, has expressed frustration with the selection process for the new operators.

Stating that her company was never contacted by the government after applying to operate from the new terminal more than a year, Ms Ho hinted at possible legal action. Her father, Stanley Ho Hung-sun, managing director of casino operator Sociedada de Jogos de Macau S.A., held a press conference last week to denounce the selection of Cotai Waterjet as a ferry operator.

Mr Ho stated that it was against the law for a casino concession holder to operate a “shipping” service. Another bidder for the Taipa license, North West Express (Macau) reportedly lodged an appeal against the decision with the Court of Second Appeal on November 16. The second licensee for the new terminal, Grand Dragon is yet to announce a start date for its service.

Courtesy: Macau Daily News

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