The US$5 million (SAT$13 million) ferry, Aurora V, will arrive on time, says the Samoa Ports Authority (SPA), despite the national budget not being passed.

SPA Chief Executive Officer Sooalo Kuresa Sooalo told the Samoa Observer on Tuesday in an email response that the vessel is being funded through SPA’s own excess cash reserves, independent of the national budget.

"The ferry is funded by the Samoa Ports Authority from its excess cash reserves as an investment strategy with the ultimate aim to improve the ferry service between the two main islands," he stated.

“As a State-Owned Enterprise, SPA operates like a private company. Doing our annual budgets and making sure we earn sufficient revenue to fund our annual budgets, be profitable and return a dividend of 35 per cent to the government as the sole shareholder."

Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Vaai, also confirmed with the Samoa Observer the ferry’s expected arrival in early September and said that it meets all necessary operational requirements.

He said the ferry had undergone all the necessary studies to confirm it is fit for the Apolima Strait.

“Studies have been carried out on the new ferry. It is the same as the other boats,” Olo said.

The vessel is designed slightly differently from others currently in use. It lacks an onboard ramp, relying instead on a remote-controlled shore ramp system, which will be installed at both local wharfs to improve vehicle loading and unloading, particularly during high tide.

“The specs of the ferry suit both wharfs,” Olo said. “The only difference is this boat hasn’t got a ramp, so it’s a shore ramp. It will be used to adjust its height when it is high tide, because we’ve had accidents with cars being scraped. But this one is remote-controlled and the captain will control the shore landing.”

He added that installation would be straightforward. “We will install the shore ramp for both wharfs. It is easy. When the equipment arrives, we just stick it on."

SPA’s technical and operational teams are currently preparing port facilities to accommodate the new vessel.

When asked how authorities ensure the ferry is suitable for Samoan waters and compliant with maritime safety and environmental standards, Sooalo said the vessel will undergo the same rigorous checks as any other ferry entering service.

“Like all other vessels/ferries, inspections by the local administration surveyors (which is the maritime division of the MWTI), plus the overseas class surveyors are mandatory to ensure the vessel complies with all maritime laws and regulations including the international and national maritime safety guidelines,” Sooalo stated. 

Despite the infrastructure adjustments and new features, Sooalo confirmed that ferry ticket prices will remain unchanged.