Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Ferry transport |
| Predecessor | Yaumati Ferry |
| Founded | 1897 |
| Founder | Lau Tak Po |
| Fate | Became subsidiary of Hong Kong Ferry (Holdings) Company Limited in 1989; surrendered franchised ferry licenses in 2000 |
| Successor | New World First Ferry (for franchised ferry licenses) |
| Headquarters | Tsing Yi , Hong Kong |
Area served | Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong |
Key people | Dr. Lee Shau Kee (Chairman of parent company Henderson Investment Ltd.), Colin Lam (Vice Chairman) |
| Products | Passenger and vehicular ferry services, Dangerous Goods Vehicular Ferry Service |
| Owner | Henderson Investment Ltd. (largest shareholder of parent company as of 2005) |
| Parent | Hong Kong Ferry (Holdings) Company Limited |
The Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited (HYF), established in 1897 in Hong Kong and widely recognized as Yaumati Ferry, became a subsidiary of Hong Kong Ferry (Holdings) Company Limited following a corporate reorganization in 1989. Its main office is situated in the northern part of Tsing Yi.
History
Chinese entrepreneur Lau Tak Po founded the company, initially operating five wooden vessels serving Kowloon under the name "Yaumati Ferry". After the enactment of the 1917 Ferries Ordinance, ferry operations required government-issued licenses awarded through public tenders. In 1923, Lau Tak Po, together with 13 business partners, secured the ferry license and formed "The Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited", appointing Lau Tak Po and Lau King Cho as managing directors.
The firm was granted a government franchise license, effectively excluding Star Ferry from competition, and emerged as the largest Chinese-owned enterprise at that time by leveraging the growing transportation needs in Kowloon.
Service began on 1 January 1924, connecting Victoria City with Yaumati, Mong Kok Tsui, and Sham Shui Po, utilizing a fleet of 12 wooden vessels. Due to concerns over vessel durability, the fleet was modernized throughout the 1920s with a combination of wooden and steel ferries.
In 1933, HYF expanded its operations to include vehicular ferry services across Victoria Harbour, continuing until 1998 when the opening of harbour tunnels diminished demand. The company relinquished its ferry licenses in 1999, which were subsequently transferred to New World First Ferry on 15 January 2000.
Ownership and control
As of 31 December 2005, Henderson Investment Ltd. held the largest stake in Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry's parent company Hong Kong Ferry, owning 31.33% of its shares. Henderson’s chairman Dr. Lee Shau Kee and Vice Chairman Colin Lam also serve on the company’s board of directors.
Cessation of ferry services
Although the company surrendered its franchised ferry licenses in 2000, it maintained operation of the Dangerous Goods Vehicular Ferry Service routes between North Point, Kwun Tong, and Mui Wo, catering to vehicles prohibited from using the three cross-harbour tunnels. Mui Wo is located on Lantau Island.
Fleet
Man Keung Tugboat Xin Jie Double deck ferry 671 - currently 666 Hong Kong Shipyard 1983 Formerly Man Kit; sold to NWFF |- Xin Chao Triple deck ferry 1728 Hong Kong Shipyard 1983 Formerly Man Chiu; sold to NWFF |- Xin Guang Triple deck ferry 1505 Hong Kong Shipyard 1985 Formerly Man Kwong; sold to NWFF |- Xin Fei Triple deck ferry 1582 Hong Kong Shipyard 1986 Formerly Man Fee; sold to NWFF |- Xin Guo Triple deck ferry 1582 Hong Kong Shipyard 1988 Formerly Man Kwok; sold to NWFF |- HKF I Waterjet Catamaran 433 Kvaerner Fjellstrand Shipyard 1993 | HKF III Waterjet Catamaran 433 Kvaerner Fjellstrand Shipyard 1994 | Aquan One Double hull Catamaran 208 Afai Shipyard 1997 | Aquan Two Double hull Catamaran 230 Afai Shipyard 1999 |}Notes
External links
| Name | Type | Seating Capacity | Builder | Year Constructed | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Man Ying (1st Gen.) | Wooden single-ended passenger ferry | 434 | Kwong Tak Cheong Shipyard | 1924 | Engine converted to diesel in 1947; decommissioned in 1957. |
| Man Lai (1st Gen.) | Double-ended passenger ferry | 412 | Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Co., Ltd. | 1925 | Diesel conversion in 1949; retired in 1966. |
| Man Yee (1st Gen.) | Double-ended passenger ferry | 412 | Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Co., Ltd. | 1925 | Converted to diesel engine in 1949; retired in 1969. |
| Man Chung (1st Gen.) | Double-ended passenger ferry | 412 | Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Co., Ltd. | 1925 | Diesel engine installed in 1948; withdrawn from service in 1969. |
| Man Shun (1st Gen.) | Double-ended passenger ferry | 412 | Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Co., Ltd. | 1925 | Upgraded to diesel in 1949; retired in 1963. |
| Man Kung (1st Gen.) | Double deck car ferry | 800 passengers, 22 cars | Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Co., Ltd. | Commissioned 1928, completed 1933 | Refitted in 1948; taken out of service in 1973. |
| Man Kim (1st Gen.) | Double deck car ferry | 368 passengers, 48 cars | Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Co., Ltd. | Commissioned 1928, completed 1933 | Underwent rebuilds in 1947 and 1971; retired in 1974. |
| Man Yeung (1st Gen.) | Double deck car ferry | 800 passengers, 22 cars | Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Co., Ltd. | Commissioned 1928, completed 1933 | Decommissioned in 1973. |
| Man Gock (1st Gen.) | Double deck car ferry | Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Co., Ltd. | Commissioned 1928, completed 1933 | Sank at West River during World War II. | |
| Man On | Double deck car ferry | Hong Kong Shipyard | 1981 | ||
| Man Lok | Double deck car ferry | Hong Kong Shipyard | 1982 | Upper deck converted into nightclub. | |
| Man Foo | Double deck car ferry | Hong Kong Shipyard | 1982 | Upper deck repurposed as nightclub. | |
| Man Kim | Double deck car ferry | 1982 | Upper deck transformed into nightclub. | ||
| Man Kai | Double deck car ferry | Hong Kong Shipyard | 1986 | ||
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Man Lai Double deck ferry 364 Hong Kong Shipyard 1970 Retired |- Man Wo Double deck ferry 532 Hong Kong Shipyard 1980 Retired |- Man Hei Double deck ferry 436 Choey Lee Shipyard 1981 Retired |- Xin Fa Triple deck ferry 1298 Hong Kong Shipyard 1981 Formerly Man Fat; sold to NWFF |- Xin Ying Double deck ferry 673 - currently 604 Hong Kong Shipyard 1982 Formerly Man Ying; sold to NWFF |- Xin Zhong Double deck ferry 676 Hong Kong Shipyard 1982 Formerly Man Chung; sold to NWFF |- Xin Xing Triple deck ferry 1298 Hong Kong Shipyard 1981 Formerly Man Hing; sold to NWFF |- Man Heen Double deck ferry 671 - now 650 Hong Kong Shipyard 1982 | |