Following a decade of focus upon renewable energy-powered electrification from aid budgets and donor funding in the Oceania region, the Asian Development Bank has announced inclusion of sustainable transport in a US$2 billion funding allocation over the next five years.
A specific focus on wharf and jetty infrastructure in outer islands is intended to improve connectivity and access for movement of goods to under-served communities.
Posted on - 2020-01-28
A wind-powered trimaran, built to service Tonga's outer islands and commissioned by King Tupou VI in 2017, is struggling to find suitable crew.The 50 foot vessel, 'Utuma'atau, has been out of operation a number of times since its launch after being damaged by Cyclone Gita in 2018 and most recently when it was smashed by another vessel, which had broken its moorings in Nuku'alofa harbour.
Posted on - 2020-01-27One of the leading of the inter-island shipping companies is calling for long term solutions to the reoccurring problem of suspension of services.
Goundar Shipping Limited's managing director George Goundar is calling for state intervention into the long-standing problem of staff turnover.
Posted on - 2020-01-27