A new contract between Samoa Submarine Cable Company, owners of the Tui Samoa submarine cable, and United States company TE Subcom promises millions of tala injected into the Samoan economy.
Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
Talamua Online reported that the submarine cable maintenance vessel CS Reliance has arrived in Apia and will maintain and service communication cables in the Pacific.
Samoan Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Afamasaga Lepuiai Rico Tupa'i said their main focus is to improve connectivity to the outside world, generate job opportunities and financial benefits for the development of Samoa.
The ship has arrived in time for the opening next week of the Samoa Marine Depot at the Apia wharf.
The 4000 square meter warehouse will house undersea communication systems.
The CS Reliance is specifically designed and constructed for cable maintenance and with DP2 capability she can undertake sustained cable operations in harsh weather conditions.
"The vessel is permanently fitted with both cable burial seaplow, broadband connectivity and provides an excellent platform from trenching, mattressing and salvage operations," the minister said.
While the ship has a crew of 51, the minister said that government aims to have 50 percent of the crew taken over by locals within two to three years.
