Project for Construction of an Inter-Island Cargo-Passenger Vessel (Ro-Ro Ferry for Short International Voyages)

OUTLINE OF THE PROJECT

In Samoa, an island country, shipping is a lifeline that supports economic activity and daily life, and passenger transport between Samoa and American Samoa was provided by a single government-owned ferry, the Queen Salamasina. However, although the vessel returned to service after running aground in a cyclone in 1990, it had reached 20 years of age, and rising maintenance costs had severely undermined its profitability. In addition, because its safety equipment did not meet the SOLAS Convention, it was at risk of losing permission to call at American Samoa. This project built a new passenger ferry to replace the Queen Salamasina, aiming to ensure safe passenger transport between the two Samoas.