From Monday, March 9th until Thursday, March 12th, the French Navy Ship « Vendémiaire » will be carrying out a port call in Apia Harbour.
Hailing from Nouméa, New Caledonia, and on her way to
Papeete, Tahiti, she will conduct a series of activities during her stay in Samoa, all aiming at reinforcing ties with France.
The Surveillance Frigate Vendémiaire plays a key role in protecting French interests in the South Pacific and representing France across the Ocean.
Its primary missions include the monitoring and protection of exclusive economic zones (EEZs), combating illegal fishing, and securing maritime routes.
Shortly after its arrival on Monday, the Vendémiaire will be welcoming visits from selected students from Le Amosa o Savavau School and from the School of Maritime Training of the National University of Samoa.
Later in the afternoon, the crew will play volleyball with a Samoan team at Tuanaimoto Sports Complex.
On Tuesday, a presentation of the French military presence and activity in the Pacific will be held for Samoan officials.
Law enforcement at sea will be a major topic, and more specifically the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) and against drug trafficking.
The French Navy has been playing a major role in that respect lately, with 3 major seizures since the beginning of 2026 only: 4.87 tons on 19 January, 4.2 tons on 3 February, and 2.4 tons on 13 February.
These successes were registered in close partnership with Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
On Wednesday, the crew will be renovating Pata Falelatai Preschool, on the South coast of Upolu.
They will be conducting mainly painting works on both the outside and inside of the school for the whole day.
A heartwarming lunch will be shared with the local community and parents.
The next port call in Apia of a French Navy Ship is due to take place by mid April.
The French Navy is celebrating this year the 400th anniversary of its creation by Cardinal de Richelieu, in 1626.
