NZ Kiwirail offers employment for Samoan able bodied sailors

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 21 JULY 2022: Employment opportunities continue to open up for Samoan sailors after over two years of recruitment difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This week, fifteen new employment opportunities were offered by Kiwirail Company in New Zealand for able bodied sailors to work on inter-island ferry services in New Zealand.

Earlier in the month, another group of seven new sailors and seafarers departed Samoa to work on MSC cruise ships.

In May this year, employment programs for females resumed with one opportunity granted to a female seafarer of Manono Island, Mimisa Alaivaa who is currently working on the MSC Poesia.

Employment opportunities for Samoan sailors overseas are handled by the Samoa Shipping Services (SSS).

Maritime careers have been hard hit by Covid-19 but SSS said Samoan sailors are slowly re-adjusting to standard operations again.