The launch ceremony for the Coral Sea 88 pure electric ferry was held in Hong Kong on October 3, marking the official entry into service of Hong Kong's first pure electric ferry built around a "retro-futurist" core design concept.

That day, many members of the public boarded the Coral Sea 88 to experience the short round-trip route between Kwun Tong in Kowloon and Sai Wan Ho on Hong Kong Island, enjoying the quiet, diesel-free ride of the electric ferry.

Cheng Ching-wah, chairman of Coral Sea Ferry Company Limited, said the Coral Sea 88 is about 26 metres long and can carry 241 passengers, with an interior redesigned around the architectural concept of "flowing space" and incorporating memories of Kwun Tong's former plastics and tin toy manufacturing industry, turning it into a mobile carrier of Hong Kong's industrial and cultural history.

The vessel is equipped with toilets, luggage racks, ergonomically designed seats and accessibility facilities, aiming to provide passengers with a comfortable experience. The Coral Sea 88 is not merely a ferry, but a "cultural ark" carrying Hong Kong's industrial spirit and collective memory as it sails at full speed into the future.

Lai Tsz-kin, deputy director of the Environmental Protection Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government, said that as one of the first batch of electric ferries fully funded under the department's "Electric Ferry Pilot Test Scheme", the Coral Sea 88 uses high-performance lithium iron phosphate batteries and can handle a day's voyages after charging overnight at Kwun Tong Pier, while solar panels on the top deck provide additional power.

It produces zero air pollutant emissions during operation, has no diesel smell, and is quieter with less vibration, helping reduce carbon emissions in line with Hong Kong's goal of moving towards "net-zero electricity generation".

Yiu Pak-leung, a member of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SAR and chairman of CTS Limited, said in an interview that the Coral Sea 88 does not only provide basic ferry services but also incorporates cultural tourism elements, allowing Hong Kong's traditional cultural features to offer a unique experience on board.

In the future, he hopes the route can be further extended to connect the waterfronts on both sides of Victoria Harbour, using water transport to enhance Hong Kong's sightseeing experience and support the better development of Hong Kong's cultural tourism.

A Hong Kong resident surnamed Chan made a special trip to Kwun Tong Pier to experience the new vessel. He said that on diesel ferries in the past, passengers would always smell fuel and sometimes feel strong vibrations.

The Coral Sea 88 sails very quietly, has no fuel smell, and offers a smooth and comfortable ride. The cabin design is full of surprises, with many old industrial elements of Kwun Tong on display, making the ferry ride feel more like visiting a museum at sea.