5 Jan 2017

Multi-million dollar passenger vessel arrives in American Samoa

2:09 pm on 5 January 2017

The American Samoa Government's new multi-million dollar passenger and cargo vessel arrived this morning in Pago Pago amid a packed crowd, which included territorial leaders.

American Samoa’s $13.6 million new vessel arrives at the Port of Pago Pago’s main dock area which was  packed with a large crowd, as horns blared throughout the main town area to welcome the vessel, as it sprays water into the ocean.

American Samoa’s $13.6 million new vessel arrives at the Port of Pago Pago’s main dock area which was packed with a large crowd, as horns blared throughout the main town area to welcome the vessel, as it sprays water into the ocean. Photo: Fili Sagapolutele

The $US13.6 million MV Manu'atele which was constructed by Washington state-based Nichols Brothers shipbuilders, will be used for sailing between the main island of Tutuila and the Manu'a island group.

But in the future, it can also sail to other neighbouring islands, such as Samoa, Niue and Fiji.

Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga said the vessel's arrival will be a positive transformation for the lives of Manu'a residents who have long been neglected due to inadequate and unreliable transportation services.

Furthermore, he added, the existence of the vessel opens new economic opportunities which will bolster American Samoa's efforts to grow the economy by capitalising on the territory's advantages as being a US territory South of the equator.