The direct shipping run between Australia and Samoa has been resurrected.
The run, while not cancelled, has been out of service for more than two years.
For that time, Samoa has been relying on a transhipment service to and from Samoa and Australia. Transhipment is the shipment of goods or containers to an intermediate destination, then to yet another destination.
“This was done due to changing circumstances and cargo flows,” the P.F.L Board said in an email.
“We now strongly believe a direct service to and from Samoa is needed.” P.F.L say the reason for the reintroduction of the service was due to customer demand.
“Market feedback from our customers was very clear, saying they wanted a direct service for faster access to and from the Australian market,” the shipping line said.
“The reintroduction of the Forum Samoa was a message we wanted to send to the Samoan community that the service changes have very much been driven by our desire to improve the service for the pacific islands, including Samoa.”
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P.F.L says this service has increased the number of supply ships to Samoa. It has increased from 36 to 48.
“A direct market access was achieved by restructuring the NZ to and from Samoa service.
“Between our Auspac service, and our Southpac service the number of calls in Samoa, to and from Australia and New Zealand increased from 36 to 48 sailing opportunities for Samoa’s exporters and importers.
“A more frequent service improves the supply chains for our customers.
“It is a strong commitment from P.F.L to Samoa, so marketing opportunities can develop.”
Transam’s Managing Director, Tom Hogarth, said the move was good news.
“The new year has come and the shipping lines have decided that they will try (the run) again,” he said.
“It is a good thing for Samoa.” Samoa Association of Manufacturers and Exporters (S.A.M.E.) President, Funefeai Oliva Vaai, said this move would re-open up opportunities for increased trade with Australia.
“As President of S.A.M.E. I would like to acknowledge the re-introduction by Auspac of direct services to and from Australia,” he said.
“This shall re-open up opportunities for increased trade with Australia.
“This also shortens the transit time almost 10 days. “We would like to thank Auspac for it’s commitment and support of our Government's trade initiatives and plans.
“As a body, we want to thank the Government and P.F.L for this initiative which shall allow us to build on previous opportunities.”
“This is a commercially run venture that requires customer support to ensure successful implementation.
Acording to P.F.L the service will be run by Auspac, which has been servicing the islands as the premier direct link to and from Australia for almost 13 years.
“Auspac is a dedicated service focusing entirely on the pacific islands, and we keep the needs of the pacific islands front and centre in our service deployments,” the shipping line says.
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