Kikori district gets new ship

People sinking in the Gulf waters will be a thing of the past, says Kikori MP Mark Maipakai when welcoming the district’s new vessel last weekend.

Maipakai said despite its late delivery, he on behalf of his people, thanked Karridale Limited for replacing the district’s ship capsized at the Korean waters more than five years ago due to technical faults.

The ship arrived at Maipakai’s private dockyard to a hero’s welcome.

“We have waited for its replacement for more than five years. The reason for the waiting time is the first ship we acquired sank in Korean waters. The buyer had to go out and looked for a new one. Karridate Limited PNG has finally delivered the ship,” Maipakai said.

“The boat will be carrying passengers via the Port Moresby-Kikori route.

Maipakai said there was a capacity of more than 100 seats, adding it travels 25 nautical miles an hour.

He said it was not viable for the districts across the country or the government to venture into businesses.

“It is not an easy task to run shipping businesses. We have got three vessels namely MV East/West Kikori, MV Baimuru and MV Ahi. Only after cost benefit analysis, we are able to determine the fares for the passengers. I think it will be competitive with airlines. Going to Kikori and return to POM is almost K2000,” he said.

The ship will be named after one of its LLGs MV Ahi.

Author: 
Freddy Mou