Data released by the Department of Transport of Hainan Province on Aug. 8 showed that passenger and vehicle traffic across the Qiongzhou Strait continued to increase over the first six months of 2026.

Passenger throughput reached 11.85 million, up 10.3 percent year on year, while 3.42 million vehicles were transported by roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) ferries, an increase of 9.8 percent.

A ro-ro passenger ferry sails across the Qiongzhou Strait.

Currently, central coordination of Qiongzhou Strait ferry service scheduling and advance reservations has been fully implemented.

The comprehensive passenger transport hub at the Xinhai Ferry Terminal has begun operation, and four dedicated new energy vehicle ferries have entered service, increasing both the overall capacity and operational efficiency of the ferry network.

A range of measures has been designed to improve convenience for passengers and businesses, including a dedicated “Drivers’ Home” facility at Xinhai Ferry Terminal and priority passage for vehicles carrying fresh agricultural products.

As a result, traffic management, passenger lounge facilities, and the reliability of ferry schedules have continued to improve.

Following the launch of the island-wide special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port, the Qiongzhou Strait has become even more important as a key maritime transportation corridor. Demand for vehicle transportation to and from Hainan, particularly new energy vehicles, continues to grow.

To meet this demand, Hainan is comprehensively optimizing Qiongzhou Strait transportation across seven major areas, including port-area improvements, increased ferry capacity, and smart dispatching.

“Port facilities are being improved and expanded, and the capacity of existing ferries is being unlocked,” said Zhu Huomeng, deputy general manager of the Hainan Harbor & Shipping Holding Co., Ltd.

The comprehensive renovation of Berth No. 11 at Xiuying Port is being accelerated to improve the terminal's overall handling capacity, and is now scheduled for completion before the upcoming National Day holiday in October.

On the north side of the strait, Berths No. 8 and 9 at Hai’an New Ferry Terminal on the north bank of the strait are also being improved, enabling deck cargo vessels and ro-ro passenger ferries to berth simultaneously and making fuller use of deck cargo vessels for transportation.

Hainan's ferry fleet is also growing, further expanding transportation capacity.

New-generation ro-ro passenger ferries are being built to increase high-quality capacity reserves. Two new ferries are now under construction, and a dedicated ro-ro ferry designed to carry trucks is under development.

Regular ferry maintenance and servicing is also being carried out to ensure that all remain seaworthy and fit for service.

Meanwhile, services to the cities of Fangchenggang and Beihai, both in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on the northwest side of the strait, will be increased to divert some traffic away from the main Qiongzhou Strait routes and ease pressure during peak periods.

During particularly busy periods, ships from COSCO SHIPPING Ferry, which were acquired by Hainan Harbor & Shipping Holding Co., Ltd. last year, can also be deployed to provide additional capacity.

The rapid growth in demand for new energy vehicle transportation has become a particular focus.

Hainan Harbor & Shipping Holding Co., Ltd. plans to optimize the layout of the vehicle waiting area at Xiuying Port and redesign traffic flows within the port. The waiting area for new energy vehicles will be expanded, while different categories of vehicles will wait in designated areas and be managed through separate traffic flows.

Flexible sailing schedules for new energy vehicle ferries will also be introduced. Under a dynamic model combining a basic quota with corresponding adjustments in capacity, management of the entire process will be improved, from vehicles entering the port to loading and sailing.

Safety assessment procedures for boarding, tiered vehicle loading, and emergency response standards will also be further optimized, improving the efficiency of new energy vehicle transportation while ensuring safe ferry crossings.

The Qiongzhou Strait is also turning to digital technology to improve transportation management.

A smart ticketing platform will be developed to optimize ticket allocation during the Spring Festival travel rush and other holidays, as well as time-slot reservations, ticket changes & refunds, and waitlist ticketing.

These measures will encourage passengers to travel outside peak periods and use smart ticketing controls to manage traffic more precisely, helping maintain orderly and predictable operations during busy periods.

The smart dispatching system will also be upgraded to enable differentiated passenger and vehicle flows and better balance demand across peak and off-peak periods.

Ferry capacity will be allocated dynamically according to traffic demand, while vehicle and passenger flows will be coordinated more efficiently.

Emergency response plans for suspension and resumption of ferry services during extreme weather will also be improved thanks to smart on-site dispatching.

AI-powered security screening will be introduced to improve the precision and efficiency of safety inspections. At the same time, inspections for potential equipment hazards will be strengthened, evacuation and traffic-diversion plans for extreme scenarios will be developed, emergency drills covering multiple scenarios will be conducted, and fire protection facilities throughout the port areas will be improved.

Hainan is also accelerating the development of an integrated Smart Qiongzhou Strait architecture, with a smart dispatching system and a smart maritime operations platform already in operation.

The system will provide a unified, real-time overview of transportation conditions across the strait, enable dynamic allocation of vessel capacity, and support data-driven decisions on navigation and ferry operations with the goal of moving management of the Qiongzhou Strait from conventional operational coordination toward a more integrated smart transportation system.

A representative of the Department of Transport of Hainan Province said that preparations are already underway for next year's Spring Festival travel rush.

The island province is planning transportation services and contingency measures well in advance, with detailed support plans being developed to ensure smooth passenger and vehicle flows.

Cross-departmental coordination between Hainan and Guangdong provinces will be strengthened, while ferry capacity will be adjusted dynamically according to demand.

Additional ferry trips will be added when necessary, and turnaround efficiency will be improved.

Through a combination of capacity optimization, smart scheduling, and coordinated management, Hainan aims to reduce transportation costs and improve the overall efficiency of cross-strait travel.