Ferry boats linking HCM City’s outlying districts of Nhà Bè and Cần Giờ. — VNS File Photo

HCM CITY — Preparations are underway for the launch of ferry services between HCM City’s outlying Cần Giờ District and Vũng Tàu.

They are scheduled to start later this year, according to the city Department of Transport.

It will take some 15 minutes for the 43.35m ferries, which can carry 350 passengers, 150 motorbikes and 20 cars, for the 15km trip.

Nguyễn Văn Mỹ, chairman of the Lửa Việt Tours, said the ferry service would facilitate cargo transport between the two destinations besides offering commuters another option.

“The new service will help boost tourism by bringing travellers to Cần Giờ, a district with many beautiful sights in HCM City.”

Not only highways but even the HCM City – Long Thành – Dầu Giây Expressway is overloaded, especially during weekends and holidays.

The new ferry boats would offer a convenient means of travel for locals and visitors going between HCM City and Vũng Tàu, Mỹ said.

But to make it a success, authorities must connect the service with other services, he said, pointing out there is currently no transport link between HCM City and the Tắc Suất Ferry terminal.

Thus it is not accessible to people travelling from HCM City to Vũng Tàu.

There are hydrofoil services between HCM City and Vũng Tàu, and these would be a competitor to the new ferry service.

Trần Song Hải, CEO of the HCM City-based Greenlines DP Technology Co Ltd, the operator of the hydrofoil services, said the ferry services would be convenient for transporting passengers and cargo between the two cities.

There is huge demand for travelling between HCM City and Vũng Tàu.

Many people ask the hydrofoil operators to allow them to bring motorbikes while traders want to transport seafood and poultry, but both requests are rejected because the hydrofoils are only meant to serve tourism.

The new ferries can accommodate these demands, Hải said. — VNS