TurboJET
| Company type | Joint venture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Ferry transport |
| Predecessor | Far East Hydrofoil, Turbo Cat |
| Founded | July 1, 1999 |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong , Hong Kong |
Area served | Pearl River Delta (Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, Zhuhai) |
| Products | Hydrofoil and high-speed ferry services |
| Owner | Shun Tak Holdings, China Travel International Investment Hong Kong |
| Website | www |
Shun Tak–China Travel Ship Management Limited, known commercially as TurboJET (), is a ferry operator headquartered in Hong Kong. Established in July 1999 as a joint venture between Shun Tak Holdings and China Travel International Investment Hong Kong, the company offers hydrofoil and high-speed ferry connections linking Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai throughout the Pearl River Delta.
TurboJET stands as one of the two principal providers of rapid ferry services between Hong Kong and Macau, sharing the market with Cotai Water Jet. It exclusively employs the IATA airline code 8S for routes serving Hong Kong International Airport, while alternative codes such as J0, J1, and TP are designated for other itineraries depending on destination and schedule.
History
Before the formation of TurboJET on 1 July 1999, Shun Tak and China Travel independently operated their own ferry lines: Far East Hydrofoil and Turbo Cat, respectively.
On 11 August 2011, TurboJET expanded its operations by acquiring New Ferry – Transporte Marítimo de Passageiros Limitada (also known as New World First Ferry (Macau)) from NWS Holdings for HK$350 million, with the deal finalized on 30 September.
The inauguration of the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge in October 2018 led to a significant drop in TurboJET's passenger volume due to intensified competition; ferry travel was regarded as less efficient and more expensive. Consequently, beginning in 2019, service frequencies were scaled back to adapt to reduced demand amid the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Routes
TurboJET's network covers routes connecting Hong Kong, Hong Kong International Airport, Macau, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, all situated within the Pearl River Delta. The route between Hong Kong and Macau is the most heavily trafficked, operating nonstop around the clock and covering roughly 60 kilometers in about one hour aboard TurboJET's swift vessels.
Historically, from 1999 to 2000, Turbo Cat managed ferry services to Hong Kong’s outer islands, including weekday trips from Central to Tuen Mun and weekend sailings from Central to Tai O. These routes were retained under the TurboJET brand following the merger.
Fleet
TurboJET operates the largest global fleet of Boeing Jetfoil vessels, a legacy inherited from Far East Hydrofoil, which also utilized PS-30 and FoilCat models. The former Turbo Cat fleet included Flying Cat and TriCat crafts.
The company’s fleet consists of seven primary vessel categories along with eight smaller types, some of which are leased from third parties.
Purchased vessels
- FoilCat: A 35-meter-long catamaran hydrofoil weighing 561 tonnes with a capacity for 423 passengers. It is powered by two General Electric LM500 gas turbines connected to waterjets. The vessel can reach speeds up to 50 knots. Constructed by Kvaerner Fjellstrand in Norway.
- Flying Cat: Measuring 40 meters and weighing 479 tonnes, this catamaran accommodates between 303 and 406 passengers. It features twin MTU 16V 396 diesel engines driving waterjets with a cruising speed of 35 knots. Built by Kvaerner Fjellstrand (Norway) for Universal MK I/MK III variants and Damen Shipyard (Netherlands) for Universal MK V. All units are inactive as of 2025.
- TriCat: A catamaran vessel 45 meters long with a weight of 602 tonnes, seating between 328 and 333 passengers. Powered by two Caterpillar Solar Taurus gas turbines linked to waterjets. Cruising speed is approximately 45 knots with a maximum speed reaching 52 knots when empty. Manufactured by FBM Marine (UK), FBM–Aboitiz Shipyard (Philippines), and Pequot River Shipworks (USA).
- Jetfoil: This monohull hydrofoil measures 24.44 meters in length, weighs 267 tonnes, and carries between 190 and 243 passengers. It uses twin Rolls-Royce Allison 501KF gas turbines driving waterjets to achieve speeds up to 45 knots. Built by Boeing in the United States.
- PS-30: Resembling a Jetfoil in design, this hydrofoil is 27.8 meters long, weighs 303 tonnes, and accommodates up to 260 passengers. It is powered by twin Rolls-Royce Allison 501KF gas turbines with waterjet propulsion. Constructed under Boeing’s license by Shanghai Simno Marine Limited; currently out of service since September 2011.
- Austal 48m: A catamaran measuring 47.5 meters with a displacement of 610 tonnes, capable of carrying between 414 and 418 passengers. It is equipped with four MTU 16V 4000 diesel engines driving waterjets. The vessel cruises at speeds near 43.5 knots and can reach a maximum speed of approximately 49 knots when empty. Built by Austal Shipyard in Australia.
Leased vessels (returned December 2008)
- Wavemaster SuperFast 39m: A 39-meter catamaran accommodating up to 300 passengers. It is equipped with twin MTU 8V 396 diesel engines, each delivering 1580 kW, powering waterjets. The vessel achieves a top speed of 36 knots. Constructed by Wavemaster International in Australia.
- Wavemaster SuperFast 42m: This 42-meter catamaran has seating for 385 passengers and is driven by twin MTU 16V 396 diesel engines, each producing 1960 kW, utilizing waterjets for propulsion. It can reach a maximum speed of 48 knots. Built by Wavemaster International, Australia.
Fleet details
| Vessel Name | IMO Number | Category | Year Constructed |
Passenger Capacity | Manufacturer | Remarks | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terceira (錫星, 929-115-012) | 7910008 | Jetfoil | 1979 | 190 | Boeing Company | Operating since February 2010; refreshed with updated livery in 2015; sole active Jetfoil as of July 2025 | |
| Penha (祥星) | 9101778 | FoilCat | 1995 | 377 | Kvaerner Fjellstrand Shipyard | Elevated to Premier status in February 2015 | |
| Universal MK 2002 (宇航2002) | 9087568 | TriCat | 1995 | 333 | FBM Marine Limited | ||
| Universal MK 2003 (宇航2003) | 9087570 | TriCat | 1995 | 331 | FBM Marine Limited | Involved in a collision near Lung Sou Gok in August 2016 | |
| Universal MK 2004 (宇航2004) | 9087582 | TriCat | 1995 | 331 | FBM Marine Limited | ||
| Universal MK 2005 (宇航2005) | 9087594 | TriCat | 1996 | 331 | FBM Marine Limited | Received modern and UnionPay-themed paint schemes; experienced mechanical failure resulting in a crash at Macau Ferry Terminal in May 2025; subsequently repaired and reinstated into service | |
| Universal MK 2006 (宇航2006) | 9139206 | TriCat | 1996 | 331 | FBM Marine Limited | ||
| Universal MK 2007 (宇航2007) | 9139218 | TriCat | 1996 | 333 | FBM Marine Limited | Adorned with Mastercard branding since 2018 | |
| Universal MK 2011 (宇航2011) | 9444209 | Austal 48m class | 2008 | 418 | Austal Shipyard | Initially acquired by First Ferry (Macau) as New Ferry LXXXVII; transferred to TurboJET prior to launch | |
| Universal MK 2012 (宇航2012) | 9433676 | Austal 48m class | 2008 | 418 | Austal Shipyard | Originally intended for First Ferry (Macau) under the name New Ferry LXXXVIII; sold to TurboJET before commissioning |
| Vessel Name | IMO Number | Category | Year Constructed |
Seating Capacity | Builder | Additional Information | Image | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Açores (恆星,929-100-008) | 7933189 | Jetfoil | 1977 | 262 | Boeing Company | Transferred to South Korea in 2004 and renamed Kobee III | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Horta (海皇星,929-115-016) | 7923251 | Jetfoil | 1980 | 200 | Boeing Company | Premier Jetfoil status since July2012; currently laid up at Stonecutters as of July2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lilau (帝皇星,929-115-014) | 8332332 | Jetfoil | 1979 | 202 | Boeing Company | Formerly Royal Navy's HMS Speedy; decommissioned in2019 and dismantled in2021 |
|