Press Release:
The Kingdom Of Tonga.

The Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon Feleti Vaka’uta Sevele, today announced that the Governments of Tonga, New Zealand, and Australia have finalised the charter agreement for an interim ferry service in Tonga which will commence in April 2010, once the charter vessel, the Ajang Subuh, has arrived in Nuku’alofa from Malaysia.

The Hon Prime Minister said that following the Princess Ashika tragedy the governments of New Zealand and Australia undertook to help the Tongan Government find and fund an interim ferry service, in addition to providing other assistance.

The Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon Feleti Vaka’uta Sevele, said, “We are deeply grateful to the Governments of New Zealand and Australia for their dedication and commitment to assisting Tonga through this very difficult period. The interim ferry service will provide the essential transportation link between Nuku’alofa and the outer islands until the new Olovaha that is under construction in Japan arrives later in the year.”

Under the 12-months agreement New Zealand and Australia will jointly fund the ferry charter, each providing $2.5 million. The Government of Tonga will cover local costs such as fuel and vessel maintenance.

Tonga will also be responsible for on-shore management arrangements with on-going support from a New Zealand-funded project manager and maritime safety advisory support. At this stage, these on-shore management arrangements, and the cost of travel and transportation of cargo on the interim ferry service is still being finalised by Tonga’s Ministry of Public Enterprises.

The Ajang Subuh was built in 2008. It is a 41m standby / utility vessel classed with the American Bureau of Shipping that is suitable for passenger / cargo operations in Tongan waters.

The vessel has a passenger capacity of 50 and deck cargo capacity of 200 tonnes. The vessel has a top speed of 15.5 knots (28.7 kilometres per hour).

The Ajang Subuh was chosen to ensure that the vessel can enter and berth safely at all of the ports in Tonga without significant modifications to ports and wharves. It has undergone an independent survey in Malaysia by internationally-recognised surveyors, London Off-shore Consultants, which found it seaworthy and fit for purpose.