$16.8 Million Fotu o Samoa III Ferry launched

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA – 14 September 2026 – Samoa officially welcomed the Fotu o Samoa III, the newest to join Samoa Shipping Corporations fleet to provide sea transport between Upolu and Savai‘i.

The vessel was officially launched Monday 14 September at the Salelologa wharf, marking the start of its service to the people of Samoa.

The new vessel costs $16.2 million and funded by the Government through the Unit Trust of Samoa (UTOS) and the Bank South Pacific (BSP).

Speaking at the launch of the new ferry, Prime Minister La‘auli‘alemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt said the new ferry reflects Samoa’s partnership with Sealink Shipyard in Malaysia.

“On behalf of our government and the people of Samoa we would like to thank you for our partnership” La’auli said.

“We appreciate with a lot of confidence and respect how you have delivered Fotu o Samoa to our shores. We look forward to a continuing partnership,” he added.

The member of the Council of Deputies, Afioga Le Laulu Tiatia Mapesone Mapusua cutting the ribbon together with the Prime Minister, a representative of Sealink Shipyard in Malaysia and the church minister who conducted the prayer service to launch the new vessel.

Laauli recalled the words of Samoa’s late Prime Minister, Tofilau Eti Alesana, who said that what is good for Apia is also good for Savai‘i and his words reflect the feeling of the occasion.

The Fotu o Samoa III can carry up to 38 x10-foot containers and has a length of 45.5 metres. It can carry a weight of up to 380 tonnes and has a speed of 12 knots.

The vessel is a landing craft built in 2026 and could serve multiple purposes and can be called upon charter services with neighbouring islands such as American Samoa, Tokelau and Tonga.

A team of Samoan captain and sailors who sailed the vessel in from Malaysia to Samoa and a delegation of executives of the Sealink Shipyard in Malaysia.

The member of the Council of Deputies, Afioga Le Laulu Tiatia Mapesone Mapusua did the honours to launch the vessel after cutting the ribbon together with the Prime Minister, a representative of Sealink Shipyard in Malaysia the church minister who conducted the prayer service.