The change over in management for the slipway at the Satitoa Wharf at Aleipata from the Samoa Ports Authority (S.P.A.) to the Samoa Shipping Corporation (S.S.C.) has meant a $200,000 upgrade.
That comes with a workshop that caters to the engineering needs of vessels that port at the slipway.
Yesterday, as part of S.S.C.’s future development plans, it launched the Pasifika Express.
Asked what this vessel would be used for, Chief Executive Officer of S.S.C., Papali’i Wilie Nansen, said there are plans to have it used for shipping purposes between Samoa and nearby islands of the Pacific.
But he was reluctant to reveal anything further, suggesting that if he tells what these plans are, other businesses might take up the idea.
However, in order for that plan to take off, Papali’i said negotiations with the appropriate people in these nearby islands would have to happen first. Pasifika Express was presented to S.S.C. last year in January from Tokelau.
Before its name change and body upgrade, it was a ferry used by the government of Tokelau as a passenger carrier.
It comes with a cooler that can store frozen goods and it can also be used for transporting dry cargo. The ferry was handed over to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
Papali’i suggested that one of the possible island countries that the vessel can service could be Tokelau. Following Pasifika Expresses’ launch it was taken out for a trial drive.
An inspector from the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure was also onboard the vessel testing whether it met the required regulations for shipping and transport purposes.
Next week the Lady Samoa II will also be transported to this wharf for inspection to check that it is up to shipping standards.
“So that when these vessels are required for the use of the people of Samoa it meets the required standards for it to be used.”
Papali’i also confirmed that the Satitoa wharf is not currently being used.
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But he said it is expected to start services in July this year prior to the Small Island Developing States meeting Samoa is hosting this September.
Following the launch Papali’i also showed where the Engineering workshop is located. This is metres before reaching the slipway.
The workshop includes a machine that can fabricate parts required for servicing vessels such as bolts and can be used to check propeller shafts if they are in good condition and when there is trouble - identify a problem he said.
Servicing facilities at Satitoa are essential, Papali’i emphasised.
When a problem arises with the vessel maintenance and repair can be quickly catered at the wharf.
Having the facilities at Satitoa means there won’t be a need to travel to Apia to fix problems.
Also when there is a break down somewhere “we don’t have to wait for parts from overseas because now we have the workshop and this machine here.”
“The slipway is just a tool to get ships up to dry land but the [engineering workshop] is a support service to conduct required and necessary technical work to ensure the timely repairs of vessels.”
And time is of essence said Papali’i. Especially since these shipping vessels operate around set schedules. A vessel that is not operating and is at stand still does not earn money, he said.
So timely repairs with quality fixtures is vital to ensure these vessels keep operating.
The Satitoa wharf has over the years been a controversial development.
A multimillion project that was initiated to create development in rural Satitoa has turned out to be rarely used, facing criticism from the opposition as a waste of money.
Earlier this year, cabinet ordered control of the wharf facilities to be transferred from Samoa Ports Authority to Samoa Shipping Corporation.
Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure Manualesagalala Enokati Posala told the Samoa Observer the government’s overview of the wharf is for (fisheries) investors and for the service to remain available for fishing boats.
He said this was vital especially with the Samoan government’s push for tourism as well as to ensure contact with Tutuila.
The project including the slipway and the wharf was an initiative managed by S.P.A. which continues to operate the wharf but S.S.C. is responsible for the slipway.
The Samoa Shipping Corporation is a limited liability company established in 1974.
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