MV Niuvakai starts cargo service in March [1]
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Friday, March 7, 2014 - 09:15. Updated on Friday, March 7, 2014 - 20:12.
A new cargo ship MV Niuvakai is expected to start service this month and transport aid supplies to Ha'apai after it was bought by the Friendly Islands Shipping Agency.
Formerly known as the MV St Theresa, the vessel was bought at NZD$936,000 from the Pacific Royale Shipping Group Ltd based in Vanuatu through local agent, Jaws Shipping Ltd.
The vessel will transport bulk livestock cargo to Tonga's outer islands and provide an option for bulk cargo transportation to nearby Pacific Islands, including New Zealand.
The Ministry of Public Enterprises stated the vessel is a well-maintained and versatile small multi-purpose island supply ship fit for transporting bulk cargo.
"Independent surveyors from New Zealand and the Marine and Ports Division of the Ministry of Infrastructure have completed the required surveys and regulatory procedures to license and certify the vessel. The vessel has a built in chill freezer and cargo capacity of 660 cubic meters and 274.4 cubic meters with 274,440 litres for bulk cargo diesel fuel."
On February 19, FISA announced its acquisition of the vessel and made an initial 10-percent deposit while allowing the shipping company two-weeks to complete all transaction documentation before making the final payment.
The Government of Tonga is the main shareholder in FISA, which currently operates the inter-island ferry, the MV 'Otuanga'ofa.
King Tupou VI named the ship Niuvakai taken from one of Tonga’s longest serving ships in the 1960’s.
Outer Islands [8]