Apia, SAMOA — The MV Lady Naomi service to and from Samoa and American Samoa will come to an end this week.

This was confirmed by Chief Executive Officer of Samoa Shipping Corporation Limited (S.S.C) Leiataualetaua Captain Samuel Decca Phineas in an interview with Savali, Samoa’s Government newspaper.

The MV Lady Naomi has been in service for 24 years and due to wear and tear over the years compounded by increasing maintenance costs a replacement was in dire need.

The Government of Japan responded favorably to a request initiated by S.S.C. for financial support by approving funding of $66.74 million under the ESDP grant aid assistance to build the new MV Lady Samoa IV to replace the aging MV Lady Naomi.

“The new MV Lady Samoa IV is now heading to Samoa and tentatively scheduled to arrive October on 27-28.

“Onboard are 6 Samoan crew members; 2 captains, 2 chief engineers, 1 electrician, and 1 workshop engineer.

“The local crew travelled over to Japan early this year for training in manning the vessel.”

Assisting manning the new M.V. Lady Samoa IV on her maiden voyage home is also part and parcel of the training for hands on operational exposure for the Samoan crewmembers.

“MV Lady Samoa IV departed Setoda, Hiroshima Japan on the October 8, 2022,” says Leiataua.

The replacement vessel was initially expected to arrive in Apia last August this year unfortunately due to safety variations that were required it arrives next week.

According to Leiataua these safety variations were due to different regulations between the NKK classification and the US Coast Guard requirements.

“Yes, all the US Coast Guard requirements are now rectified,” said the CEO.

The MV Lady Samoa IV is 48metres (158 ft.) in length, boosts an international gross tonnage of 1,130 tons and capacity of 297 (280 passengers and 17 crew).

Meanwhile, the fate of the M.V. Lady Naomi is up in the air with the S.S.C. Board looking at options which is part of on-going engagement with Japan.