Page 35 - Islands Business September 2023

Shipping Shipping

Neptune Pacific Direct Line has added Pago Pago to its
Australia-New Zealand-Pacific service as a regular port call.
Earlier it had added a Brisbane call to the service, and has
increased the frequency of stops to Auckland, Nukualofa
and Apia. Services to Vanuatu have been adjusted to
include a stop in Santo, in response to mitigation efforts
in Vanuatu aimed at stopping the spread of the coconut
rhinoceros beetle.
Meanwhile, Swire Shipping has added a second vessel to
its US West Coast - Pacific Islands service following Hamburg
Süd’s decision to exit the trade. The route travels between
Long Beach and Oakland and Papeete, with stops in Apia,
Nuku’alofa, Suva and Pago Pago.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $30
million grant to replace Tuvalu’s passenger and cargo
domestic ship, the Manu Folau, with a safer, more reliable
vessel.
“The new vessel’s energy-efficient design will reduce
its carbon footprint, which will lower operating costs and
lessen Tuvalu’s reliance on imported fuel,” said ADB’s
Pacific Subregional Office Regional Director Aaron Batten, Construction underway for a new vessel for Marshall Islands at Geoje Island, South
Korea. Photo: Asia Shipbuilding Co.
at the signing of the grant agreement.
The project will also rehabilitate the existing damaged
port fenders at the Funafuti International Port to improve
ship berthing safety, preventing damage to the wharf and
ships calling at the port, and fund training of government
staff on ship maintenance, ship scheduling, record keeping,
and budgeting.

Pacific Island countries are on track for the mandatory
introduction of Maritime Single Window (MSW) from January
next year. MSW enables the digital exchange of information
on ships’ arrival at port, length of stay and departure.
Compulsory operation of the MSW is required under the
Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic
(FAL).
Fiji Ports says the MSW will improve efficiency, reduce
costs, increase transparency and improve competitiveness
by reducing the number of manual processes carried out by
each agency involved in the trade clearance process. It will
also provide a centralised platform for traders to submit
trade-related information and documents.
“We envision a business-friendly environment in Fiji,
where the time and cost of doing business are minimised,
and our businesses and exporters are fully supported,” Breaking ground at the site of the Mike and November wharves in Guam, August 8,
2023. Photo: Supplied
Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Manoa
Kamikamica noted during a recent validation workshop on
the MSW.

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