By Martha Taumata Faavae
Samoa has a plan in place waiting for the Samoa Shipping Corporation, SSC, to take delivery of the Lady Naomi III in two years time from Japan.
Shipping Minister Papali’i Niko Lee Hang describes the new ship as bigger and faster, capable of making chartered trips to neighbouring island countries like Tonga and Cook Islands.
The ability to travel outside its primary domestic routes carrying cargo, passengers or both, makes it easier for the SSC to expand to a regional service if viable.
The Lady Naomi III was initially scheduled to start work in time for the busy 2021 general elections period next April until the delay by the coronavirus pandemic.
“The new ship will keep to the primary routes between Mulifanua and Salelologa with scheduled inter-island runs between the two Samoas,” Papali’i said.
The aging sister ship the Lady Naomi is responsible mainly for sailings from Apia to Pago Pago before the disruptions from the coronavirus.
Lady Samoa III remains the main workhorse on the busy domestic route with the Lady Naomi called into duty when needed.
Plans for a regional shipping service have been a longterm aim since the upgrading of the Apia Port facilities to increase docking and storage space.
The project was funded by Japan in a continuing programme of maritime assistance that also included a fleet of larger vehicular ferry.
Japan’s Ambassador to Samoa highlighted the building of the Lady Samoa III at the opening of the Vaisigano Bridge a week ago.
The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi signed the new grant project with his Japanese counterpart last year.
