Page 28 - IB June 2017

Shipping

This is Part 1 of a 3-part series on sustainable sea transportation
for the Pacific. We talk to the experts, turn to the past and explore
ideas and designs for answers to the future of inter-island shipping,
the key to our trade and lifeline of island economies
By Ilaitia Turagabeci
WHENEVER the SV Kwai appears on the
horizon,islanders of the remote atolls from
Search Hawaii, Kiribati’s Line Islands, and the
Cook Islands celebrate a much-anticipated
meeting at the waterfront.
This is their lifeline to the world, bring-
ing much-needed supplies and and engag-
for the ing them in trade.
Without this, the the islanders’ ability
to purchase stores brought from Hawai’i
and carried on the inter-island freighter is
severely limited.
perfect tures Ltd, which operates under a business
Built in 1950 and owned by Island Ven-
model that recognises the need for trade
for the survival of these people. it makes
up to four trips a year and does charters
in between.
ship was converted and retrofitted with soft
Over the years the former fishing boat
sails, the wheelhouse moved to allow for
a mizzen mast, giving it the potential for
further savings from additional voyages.
Profits from the voyages paid for the
Low carbon, cost-effective conversions.
It now saves between 30-60 per cent of
fuel, depending on the route while buying
copra and seaweed enroute to stimulate
local economy. Measuring 43m with a
payload of 260-plus tonnes, the SV Kwai,
does take passengers when required.
It operates commercially but has never
received government subsidies or donor
funding. Carrying food, fuel, medicine, and
virtually anything made on special order,
the ship sets sail from Honolulu and stops
at islands all the way to Kiribati.
Once it offloads at Christmas Island, a
boom tent is rigged over the main hatch
and passengers are loaded.
One of the international crew of this ship,
Samuel London, said it was always a joy
to sail for the next port,leaving the people
on shore with the necessities of survival
and money in their pockets.
“It is an honour to play such a part in
the lives of these people.
“Most of these islands only get serviced
What suits our islands once or twice a year by government ship-
ping services and only carry bulk items
and our pockets so it’s not very good for the people on the
islands if they want something specific or
special. We carry everything.
“As there are no other ships offering this
service. We are always full, people need to
visit their family on the other islands and
The SV Kwai in full sail across the Pacific. It saves up to 60 per cent on fuel costs. Photo: Supplied. the Kwai offers this service everytime it’s

28 Islands Business, May 2017