A snapshot of Tongan shipping history.

Abstract: Construction of the world’s largest existing double hulled voyaging canoe, the 108 foot Tongan Kalia Mileniume, was completed in August 2000. The kalia was documented on three research trips. Tuione Pulotu, master chainsaw artist and canoe builder designed the canoe and proposed the project to the Tongan government as a celebration for the New Millennium. This ethnobotanical study documented canoe architecture and plant species used for the Kalia Mileniume, as well as for voyaging canoes of the past.

Spurway J narrates: "A canoe-building expedition was in accordance with the tradition of young Tongans of high rank voyaging to Fiji, with their followers, for sojourns of varying lengths. There is evidence, which will be considered later, that the building and repair of canoes indeed played a part in Ma`afu’s participation in the voyage...",

The account on Maafu's life details a major narrative on the canoe building and sailing heritage which is an intrinsic part of pacific island culture.

This is a proposal for the design of a small sailing vessel with a small diesel engine, requested by the Government of Tonga to UNDAT (United Nations Development Advisory Team) to improve shipping services to the Ha'apai Group of Islands at a minimal cost.

Kami and Dillon demonstrate the need for a more coordinated capital investment to overcome the limitations of Private Boat Operations.  Private Boat Operations often have both economic and social functions that have an adverse impact on reliability, efficiency as well as safety of inter-island travel services.

The technical assistance from the Netherlands aims at providing the Tongan ministry with priority measures which are most applicable to the Tongan situation to be implemented on a relatively short term., Four priority measures have been selected. These are:
I) A fuel levy on traditional fuels combined with a fuel subsidy on more environmental friendly alternatives such as biodiesel
II) Introduction of slow steaming and a maximum speed zone in Tongan waters
III) Compulsory hull cleaning and propeller polishing on a more frequent base
IV) Feasibility study on an emission control area for the Pacific Islands including Tonga and its neighbouring islands.