Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate Transportation, Airport & Port Committee convened a hearing on Monday to examine the future of sea transportation to Manu‘a, following growing concerns about vessel suitability and reliability. Committee Chairman Senator Ma‘o Faauma Gogo called the hearing after receiving photos and preliminary information about the two new vessels the Port Administration intends to purchase for the Tutuila–Manu‘a route.

Port Administration Director, Barney Sene, shed light on the specifications of the two new vessels, which he stated would arrive in the territory in 2028.

The proposed vessels — two high‑speed, low‑emission catamaran‑style ferries—are being funded through a major Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Designed to operate significantly faster than the MV Manu‘atele, the new ferries are expected to reduce the current 6- 7 hour journey to approximately two hours, marking one of the most substantial improvements to inter‑island travel in decades.

Despite the promise of faster service, Senator Ma‘o raised concerns about the vessels’ performance in rough or stormy seas. He questioned whether catamarans are the right fit for Manu‘a’s challenging ocean conditions and suggested that the government consider purchasing only one fast ferry and pairing it with an LCU — Landing Craft Utility — capable of transporting passengers, vehicles, and cargo directly from ship to shore when docking is not possible.

Ma‘o noted that this capability is especially important at Ta‘ū wharf, where the 147 ft-long MV Manu‘atele is unable to dock due to shallow waters and wharf size. As a result, he said, village alia boats must ferry passengers and cargo to shore. In contrast, he pointed out that the privately owned MV Talitiga, currently contracted for Manu‘a service, is able to access and dock at the wharf without issue because it is only about 60 feet long.

Senator Togiola T.A. Tulafono pressed Port Admin Director Sene for a clear assessment of the MV Manu‘atele’s current condition and operational status. Togiola asked directly whether the vessel is fully seaworthy and what limitations remain in place.

Sene testified that the Manu‘atele continues to operate on the Tutuila– Manu‘a route, but under restricted capacity. At present, the vessel is allowed to carry no more than 60 passengers, a limit imposed while the government awaits delivery of a critical rudder component from Canada. Once installed, the part will allow the vessel to return to full passenger capacity.

He explained that the U.S. Coast Guard has granted the Manu‘atele an exemption, permitting it to operate at this reduced capacity while the part is pending. However, the part has been delayed due to tariffs imposed by the U.S. government, slowing its release and shipment. Sene said Port Admin is working closely with the agent company in Los Angeles to expedite delivery to the territory.

Responding to Senator Togiola’s questions about where the MV Manu‘atele is currently able to dock, the Port Admin Director explained that the vessel can safely berth at the Ofu wharf under present conditions. He added that the Manu‘atele can also access the Faleasao wharf, but only during the calmer months of April through November, when seasonal weather patterns create more favorable tidal conditions.

In contrast, he stated that the vessel cannot dock at the Ta‘ū wharf because the water depth is insufficient. The area must be dredged before the Manu‘atele can safely approach and tie up. According to the Director, the dredging project is expected to cost between $3- 4 million and is considered a complex undertaking, as it must meet federal compliance requirements and secure approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

In the meantime, Director Sene said the most practical interim solution would be the acquisition of two Landing Craft Utility vessels (LCUs) to address the long‑standing challenge of transferring passengers and cargo from the Manu‘atele to shore. He explained that LCUs would provide a safer and more reliable means of shuttling people and freight when the Manu‘atele is unable to dock, and he noted that a smaller LCU would also be ideal for the heavily used Auasi– Aunu‘u route.

Sene emphasized that the underlying issues have existed for many years and cannot be resolved overnight. “We have to take time to get the right boats,” he stated, emphasizing the need for careful planning and appropriate vessel selection to ensure long‑term safety and service reliability.

Sene also noted that when the Manu'atele is unavailable due to repairs or maintenance, the Port Admin charters the privately owned MV Talitiga to maintain service to Manu‘a.

Senator Togiola raised concerns about the regulatory compliance of the Talitiga, emphasizing that federal law requires foreign‑built vessels to hold a valid Certificate of Inspection (COI) from the U.S. Coast Guard before operating in interstate or inter‑island service. He pointed out that the Talitiga was built in Indonesia and asked Sene to confirm whether it holds a current COI. Sene responded that he believed the vessel was certified but would verify this with the Coast Guard.

Togiola stressed that Port Admin has an obligation to confirm a vessel’s certification before chartering it for public transportation, particularly on a federally regulated route.

He further questioned the use of village alia to ferry passengers and cargo between the Manu‘atele and the Ta‘ū wharf when the vessel cannot dock. Togiola asked whether these small boats are certified to perform such transfers, noting his understanding that the US Coast Guard has not conducted inspections in Manu‘a related to these operations.

Sene confirmed to the committee that the USCG has not inspected any of the alia operating in Manu‘a, including those used to transfer passengers and cargo between the Manu‘atele and the Ta‘ū wharf. He clarified that the only alia inspected and certified by the Coast Guard are the boats operating between Auasi and Aunu‘u, which fall under regular Coast Guard oversight due to their daily commuter service.

Senator Togiola expressed deep concern that passenger safety remains at risk as long as uncertified alia in Manu‘a continue to be used for transport operations. He emphasized that these vessels are not designed or approved for the type of passenger and cargo transfers currently taking place, especially in rough seas or when the Manu‘atele arrives at Ta'u wharf, where it cannot dock.

Togiola further noted that these challenges — ranging from vessel certification to wharf limitations and reliance on small boats — are longstanding issues inherited from previous administrations. However, he stressed that Port Admin still bears responsibility for addressing them. He pointed out that Sene’s administration should have requested local funding in the FY 2026 budget to begin resolving these systemic problems, rather than allowing them to persist unaddressed.

Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean inquired about the specific details of the two high‑speed catamaran ferries procured for the Tutuila- Manu‘a route. Director Sene confirmed that the contract was awarded to Damen, a maritime vessel manufacturer based in the Netherlands. Each vessel carries an estimated price tag of about $18 million and is designed to accommodate up to 455 passengers.

However, Sene noted that Port Admin intends to reduce the operational passenger capacity to approximately 250- 300 in order to allocate more space for cargo, which remains a critical need for Manu‘a residents. He further explained that the funding for the vessels was made available through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under federal infrastructure programs.

Responding to Senate President Tuaolo’s inquiry about whether the two new catamaran ferries will be able to dock at the Ta‘ū wharf, Director Sene confirmed that they can. He explained that, unlike the MV Manu‘atele — which requires a draft of approximately 12 to 14 feet — the new vessels need only about 4 to 6 feet of water depth to berth safely at Ta‘ū. This shallower draft, he noted, is a key advantage of the new ferries and will allow them to access the wharf without the dredging currently required for the Manu‘atele.

Tuaolo observed that the ongoing docking challenges faced by the MV Manu‘atele appear to stem primarily from the lack of dredging at the Ta‘ū wharf, and he suggested that this issue should be addressed first.

Director Sene agreed, but clarified that the matter had already been taken to federal authorities in 2024, since Ta‘ū wharf is classified as a federal port. At that time, he said, federal officials determined that the wharf was adequate in its existing condition.

“So we need to submit another request and point out the current predicament with the Manu‘atele,” Sene stated. He added that dredging is also needed at the mouth of the channel leading to the wharf, where wave action is intensified by the narrow passage, further complicating safe vessel access.

Tuaolo asked whether all government‑owned vessels were currently seaworthy and in operable condition.

Director Sene responded that, aside from the MV Manu‘atele, both government tugboats — the Iseula and the Segaula — are operational. He noted that the Iseula had been out of service for several months, but a new generator was recently purchased to restore its functionality. He emphasized that these vessels require continuous maintenance to remain in serviceable condition.

In contrast, Sene acknowledged that the MV Sili has experienced repeated mechanical and structural failures over the years, resulting in multiple periods of downtime. At present, the vessel is docked at the Fagatogo wharf, where it is awaiting permanent repairs.

He reported a similar situation with the MV Pago Pago, which the Lemanu and La‘apui administration purchased from local businessman Papali‘i Laulii Alofa for $1.2 million. According to Sene, the vessel requires approximately $600,000 in repairs before it can be certified as seaworthy and returned to service.

Senator Muagututi‘a M.T. Tauoa voiced his strong support for improving sea transportation for Manu‘a, noting that the issue has persisted for many years. He went further to suggest that the government should also consider purchasing an airplane to better serve the islands’ transportation needs.

Senators Utu Sila Poasa, Olo Uluao Letuli, and Gaoteote Palaie Tofau echoed the call for long‑term solutions, emphasizing that dredging and infrastructure improvements must be prioritized. They cautioned that without addressing these foundational issues, the new catamaran ferries — already purchased and now in the construction pipeline — could face the same operational challenges and risk damage upon arrival.

Port Director Sene agreed with their concerns and stated that he hopes these infrastructure issues will be resolved by the time the new vessels are scheduled to arrive in 2028.

Regarding vessel operations for travel to Manu‘a, Director Sene emphasized that consistent maintenance is the key to ensuring uninterrupted service to the islands. He cautioned that without a reliable supply of spare parts, even newly purchased vessels will quickly fall into disrepair.

“If there are no spare parts to maintain any vessel, then it becomes a waste of government funds to purchase them,” Sene stated.