The MV Taka-i-Pomana, a 65.25m passenger and containerised vessel was launched by HM King Tupou VI at the Taufa‘ahau Tupou IV Domestic Wharf on Wednesday, 24 April 2019.

The vessel belongs to the Tonga Ramsay Shipping Company Ltd., a local company providing shipping services in Tonga for the past 50 years.

Ramsay Shipping CEO Tunamailangi Lililiki, said the MV Taka-i-Pomana is Tonga’s largest ferry. It can accommodate 400 passengers in passenger compartments. It has also has a 30-ton ship crane with the capacity to transport 40ft, 20ft, 10ft and 8ft containers.

“The MV Taka-i-Pomana will assist in the commercial and economic development of Vava’u and the Niua group of Islands,” said Tuna.

They are scheduling a dedicated direct service between Nuku‘alofa and Neiafu, Vava‘u, and a monthly service to the two Niuas.

The MV Taka-i-Pomana will also provide a monthly service between Vava’u, Samoa and Fiji.

At the launch of the vessel, the company acknowledged the government’s  decision to exempt Ramsay Shipping from customs duty and taxes on the importation of plant and equipment for the development of Tonga's domestic shipping service.