Typhoon Muifa forces early return for Keelung-Ishigaki ferry's inaugural voyage

The inaugural voyage of the new ferry route connecting Keelung, Taiwan, and Ishigaki Island, Japan, faced disruption due to the approach of Typhoon Muifa. The return leg of the journey, originally scheduled for Sunday evening, was brought forward to ensure the safety and comfort of the 161 passengers aboard. Faced with forecasts of increasing wave heights and strong winds, the ferry operator, Huakang Group, decided to depart Ishigaki Island earlier than planned. The vessel, Yaeyama Maru, set sail at 11 a.m. Japan time on Sunday, arriving in Keelung by 8 p.m. Taiwan time. This proactive measure aimed to avoid the harsher conditions expected later in the day. Passengers were provided with complimentary water and simple meals during the adjusted journey. While the ferry arrived earlier, passengers had to wait until approximately 8:30 p.m. before they could disembark and clear customs, due to ongoing port operations. The operator also noted that the number of passengers on this return trip was slightly lower than the initial 200-plus on the maiden voyage, with some Japanese passengers opting for one-way tickets and a few travelers canceling or rescheduling their trips.