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Concerns over the loss of the Taio Shipping vessel MV Maungaroa after it was grounded on the rocks at Avatiu harbour following a freak storm in Rarotonga two weeks ago, has pushed Government to urgently consider purchasing or chartering another ship to assist in providing services to the Outer Islands.
The Maungaroa was one of two ships regularly delivering supplies to both the Southern and Northern Group islands in the country.
Transport Minister Tangata Vavia said that it was urgent Government consider getting another ship to compliment the Outer Islands.
The MV Te Kou Maru is currently the only cargo ship in operation.
According to Tapi Taio of Taio Shipping the MV Maungaroa cannot be salvaged.
Already Government has issued a licence for anothe cargo boat, the Kwai, to deliver cargo to the Northern Group but according to Minister Vavia, "is not sufficient to fix the problem. Vavia said a committee including Ministry of Transport Chief Executive Officer Aukino Tairea, retired mariner Don Silk and Financial Secretary Sholan Ivaiti has been appointed to provide advice and a proposal on the best way to solve the shipping problem.
He said the team will look at the merits of either buying or chatering a ship. "In the long run Cabinet sees buying a new ship as the best and most appropriate, which would be owned by Government and operated by a private company".
He also added that the all purpose ship to be built by the Chinese Government will take two years to complete and cannot be rushed.
Source: Govmedia |
