Seoul in South Korea begins trials of Han River water buses ahead of launch
The aluminium boats are light and fuel-efficient with low carbon emissions, and will run every 15 minutes, stopping at seven docks
By Lee Hae-rin
Seoul’s city government has announced plans to launch its ambitious water transport system in the first half of this year.
Two Han River buses that departed from Sacheon in South Gyeongsang province on February 24 arrived near Yeouido on the Han River on February 27, completing a three-day test voyage through the Korea Strait and the Yellow Sea, called the South Sea and West Sea in Korea.
The boats will continue to undergo thorough testing from early March until their official launch.
These river buses are environmentally friendly vehicles built from an aluminium alloy. Being lighter than steel, they consume less fuel and are recyclable, according to the city government.
Powered by lithium-ion batteries and diesel generators, the ships’ carbon dioxide emissions are 52 per cent lower than traditional diesel-powered vessels, the city said.
