Interim management for interim ferry [1]
Tuesday, April 6, 2010 - 20:06. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
A CALL for tenders for a management contract for Tonga's new interim ferry, the Ajang Subuh, will be made tomorrow by the Ministry of Public Enterprise who expect the inter-island ferry to arrive from Malaysia on April 16.
The CEO for the Ministry of Public Enterprise, 'Inoke Vala said that their call for an Expression of Interest will run for one or two weeks before they award the contract.
'Inoke said that an interim management team would manage the vessel during its first month of its operation, so that they could have more time to complete their assessment of those who apply for the Management Contract.
The successful bidder is expected to manage the Ajang Subuh for the remaining term of the interim ferry's operation, which is 10 to 12 months.
'Inoke said that a consultant hired by NZAID from New Zealand was expected to be in Tonga prior to the arrival of the vessel to finalise the interim arrangement.
Australia and New Zealand provided $AUD1.9 million each toward the chartering of the crew boat, and the Tonga Government will cover local costs, fuel, vessel maintenance, ticketing and the loading and the unloading of cargoes.
Meanwhile, the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd, operator of the sunken ferry MV Princess Ashika has been charged with manslaughter by negligence, in relation to the death of a young mother Vae Fetu'u Taufa (21), who was one of the 74 people who lost their lives last August in the sinking. The SCP, as the operator of the Princess Ashika has also been charged with taking an unseaworthy ship to sea.