Yuehai Railway Ferry Service

Between the Haikou Port of Hainan Province in the south and the Hai’an Port of Guangdong Province in the north, the Yuehai Railway offers all kinds of ferry services. Besides taking the train across the Qiongzhou Strait, it also ships across vehicles of all sorts, from passenger cars to coaches as well as tourists.

There are now four ferries serving on the Qiongzhou Strait - Yuehai Train Ferry No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4, with the commencing in 2002, 2003, 2011, and 2012 separately. The ferry No. 1 and No. 2 have the same size and capacity. Each of them measures 165.4 meters (180.9 yards) long and 22.6 meters (24.7 yards) wide and weighs 14,381 tons. Each has a carrying capacity of 4,280 tons and at one time, can carry 40 freight train carriages (measuring 15 yards long and weighs 80 tons), 50 buses and 1,360 passengers, or 18 passenger train carriages (each 29 yards long). The ferry No. 3 and No. 4 have the same standard with a carrying capacity of 6, 500 tons. Each measures 188 meters (206 yards) long and 23 meters (25 yards) wide and weighs 20,000 tons. Each of them can carry 44 freight train carriages, 24 passenger train carriages, or 81 trucks (each truck with a load of 20 tons) and 1,398 passengers at one time.
 

Yuehai Train on the Ferryboat

Each ferry has four decks. The first and second are for passengers. The train carriages go on the third deck. Passenger decks are divided into different classes; some come with a sofa, entertainment outlets and bathrooms. There are 200 members of staff working on-board, making the trip across the sea more enjoyable with three-star hotel services.

Compared with other ships serving on the Qiongzhou Strait, Yuehai Train Ferry No. 1 and No. 2 are well equipped with a world class anti-roll device. This enables them to sail safely against the eight degree wind, one that other ships are unable to sail. There are in fact 36 days in a year with such a wind conditions. The black box that records all communication signals and sea-route signals is also installed on board.

The ports of Haikou and Hai’an are 12.5 sea-miles apart. It usually takes about 2 hours in total to travel between the two ports, including the time for the train ferry process and the travel time across the strait.

Please note that passengers are not allowed to leave the train carriages during the ferry trip and all windows are required to be closed too. So you won’t be able to enjoy the sea view.
 See more Tips for Taking the Yuehai Train