Interim Ferry Arrives In Nuku’alofa

“Interim Ferry Arrives In Nuku’alofa”

The interim ferry, the Ajang Subuh, berthed at Queens Salote wharf this morning on its delivery voyage from Malaysia, under the command of New Zealander, Captain Denis Nisbett, with a crew of twelve. On hand to welcome the vessel was the Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon Feleti Vaka’uta Sevele, and members of the Cabinet who later toured the vessel. Also on hand to welcome the vessel was Mr. Sim Siaw Min, representative of Malaysian shipping company from which the vessel is being chartered, Ajang Shipping SDN. BHD., as well as Mr. Steve Young, consultant from Pacific Shipping Ltd of New Zealand, who helped identify and charter the vessel.

The Ajang Subuh is expected to undergo some minor adjustments on deck early next week, including the installation of a crane, with which it came, before making a trial run to Ha’apai and Vava’u before the end of next week. The purpose of the trial run is to check out the facilities and infrastructure at the ports it will regularly call in and familiarise the crew with the routes. It is expected that the vessel will make its first commercial run to Ha’apai and Vava’u the week after next. It will also make a run to the two Niuas every six weeks.

The New Zealand shipping company responsible for the delivery of the vessel to Nuku’alofa, and for which Captain Denis Nisbett is engaged, is responsible for operating the vessel for the first 6 weeks. In the meantime, the Ministry of Transport has called for bids for the on-ship management of the interim ferry service, which closes on 30 April.

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