The High Court in American Samoa has ordered the government not to remove its two vessels, MV SIli and MV Manuatele from the territory.
The stop order involves a dispute over whether the vessels can be sent to Honolulu for dry docking.
The court ruling was in response to a petition from the operators of the local shipyard.
The plaintiffs want the government to follow local procurement law and solicit bids for the overhaul of the two vessels.
