Ro/ro passenger/vehicle ferry “Tai Ma” (臺馬) leaving Keelung on 23rd May 2013
Registered owner: Matsu Lienchang Marine Co.
Operater: Shinhwa Navigation Co.
Flag: Republic of China (Taiwan)
Port of registry: Keeling
Builder: Usuki Shipyard, Usuki, Oita Prefecture, Japan
Gross tons: 5,039
Length overall: 110.10 m
Max. draft: 4.5 m
Engines: 2 x IHI- Pielstick 6PC2-6L diesels, total 5,564 b.h.p.
Service speed: 19 knots
Passenger capacity: 460 or 500 (sources differ)
Completed March 1985 as “New Kyushu” (ニュー九州) for joint owners Ninety-four Ferry Bsats Co., Yawatakama & Corporation for Advanced Transport and Technology (CATT), Tokyo, Japan; originally 2,153 gross tons, 544 passengers, 30 8-ton trucks & 12 passenger cars.
Purchased by Taiwan 1997; remodelled & refurbished then (to 4,712 tons gross) & again in 2004,