Satitoa Slipway back in operation

Staff Reporters/

Apia, Samoa – 22 January 2024: The slipway at Satitoa is back in operation after the launch of the Henry Silva Shipyard managed by the Silva Group last Thursday.

The shipyard was built by the Samoa Ports Authority (SPA) in 2007 and has had a history of setbacks that rendered it neglected. It was badly damaged by the tsunami in September 2009 and after it was rebuilt in 2010, it was again damaged by Cyclone Evan in 2012.

Then in 2014, SPA leased the facility to the Samoa Shipping Corporation for ten years. But the Samoa Shipping Corporation returned the facility back to the Ports Authority two years before the lease was up.

Speaking at the opening pf the Shipyard last Thursday, the Minister of Works Olo Fiti Vaai reflected on the setbacks and the amount of Government money poured into the project.

Then the SPA Board decided to lease the facility to the private sector to manage and operate hence the lease signed with the Silva Group in May 2023.

Olo said a slipway is a project that is vital to the country in delivering specific services to the public and moving the economy.

He said the Shipyard and slipway will provide employment especially for the neighbouring villages and will provide dry docking services not only for the Samoa Shipping Corporation passenger boats but for the local fleet of fishing boats to push the fishing industry.

The Minister said that having the slipway and dry docking services locally will be cheaper than sending local boats for the same service in American Samoa and Fiji. He also said that trained and qualified locals are also available to provide the service for any kind of vessel including cargo vessels.

Olo then congratulated Afioga Sala Les Silva and management of the Silva Group for the crucial service they will be providing through the new shipyard.