The Samoa Shipping Corporation will resume its cargo service to American Samoa on Thursday.

The Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, Leiataua Samuel Phineas, said the MV Fotu Samoa will sail between Apia and Pago Pago from this Thursday 2 July 2020.

He said they will not accept any passengers on the freight service to the American territory and the Ministry of Health [MOH] staff will be on hand to address any safety issues including the protection of the vessel’s crew from the coronavirus [COVID-19].

"The crew is prohibited ashore as most of the ports in the Pacific are doing this where the crew stays on board while stevedores offload the cargo all for safety reasons," he said. 

Leiataua also said that they are still waiting for confirmation for the health authority in Pago Pago in relation to their health requirements.

"We’re still waiting on a confirmation from Pago Pago where it would outline their health requirements for our crew members who would be on board when the boat docks in Pago Pago," he added. "We’ve yet to receive that confirmation of requirements but I think it will be similar to our health requirements."

Lei'ataua says that resuming the inter-island cargo trips will benefit Samoa’s local farmers and businesses.

"This resumption will be good for our trading links with Pago. It will benefit farmers whereby their produce can be shipped to Pago and local business people who ship from Pago as well," he added.