The Thai island of Phuket has unveiled its first electric-powered tourist ferry.
It will be based at Ao Por Pier on the east coast of Phuket, offering trips to 10 offshore islands.
It has been developed in partnership with firm Banpu NEXT, and will be operated by Phuket Patri Tour Co Ltd.
According to ‘Ao Por Smart Pier’ officials, e-ferries will sail itineraries to islands including Koh Khai, Koh Hong, Naka Island, Phi Phi Island and Krabi.
Each vessel is registered to carry 90 people and is powered by a 625 kWh Li-Ion battery at speeds of 15 knots.
"As a leading tourism service operator in Phuket, we recognised the opportunities to raise the awareness on ‘Green Tourism’ which is in linked with the ‘Responsible Tourism’ initiatives of the Tourism Authority of Thailand," said Chaiya Rapuepol, Managing Director of Phuket Patri Tour Group.
Banpu NEXT says it hopes to collaborate with other marine tourism operators to ‘produce electric tourist ferries to serve the tourists in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand covering all four provinces by 2025.’
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
