There is a range of private sea transport companies operating out of Port Vila and Santo. Find below three passenger-carrying vessels that operate in Vanuatu for sea transport between three of the greater populated islands:
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Vanuatu Ferry – carries passengers and cargo and travels between Port Vila, Santo, Malekula and Tanna;
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Vanuatu Cargo – sister ship of Vanuatu Ferry; and
-
Big Sista – also services the more populated islands.
Some of the smaller cargo vessels can carry up to five passengers however, these vessels are not designed for passenger transport.
In the event of a national emergency, the Police Maritime Wing (PMW) will assist and coordinate through the National Disaster Management Office any event, incident or response relating to:
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Maritime logistics;
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Domestic vessel safety; and
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Sea transport of humanitarian cargo and people
For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List.
Company Information
The Vanuatu Ferry and Big Sista are the major inter-island people-moving ships. Ocean Logistics is the major company for tugs and barges. There are multiple smaller landing crafts and maritime vessels operating privately to transport cargo and passengers across Vanuatu.
For more information on waterway company contact details, please see the following link: 4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List.
Passenger Carrying Capacity |
|||
---|---|---|---|
|
Vanuatu Ferry |
Vanuatu Cargo |
Big Sista |
Number of Passengers
|
450 |
200 |
200 |
Cargo capacity |
900 mt |
1,050 mt |
Small carry-on cargo or boxed cargo |
Shipping route |
Malekula, Santo, Tanna |
Malekula, Santo, Ambae, Pentecost |
Epi, Paama, Maskelyne, Malekula, Santo |
Contact details |
P: +678 26999 / 7762064 |
P: +678 26872 |
P: +678 5683622 / 5625225 |
Travel Time Matrix
Travel Time from Port of Port Vila to other Major Ports (average in hours) |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Efate |
Malekula |
Santo |
Ambae |
Pentecost |
Tanna |
Efate |
|
12 |
16 |
16 |
14 |
12 |
Malekula |
12 |
|
4 |
5 |
6 |
|
Santo |
16 |
4 |
|
3 |
9 |
|
Ambae |
16 |
5 |
3 |
|
2 |
|
Pentecost |
14 |
6 |
9 |
2 |
|
|
Tanna |
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
Port Information
Key Port Information |
|||
---|---|---|---|
|
Port of Port Vila |
Port of Luganville |
Lenakel Wharf |
Location |
Efate Island, Shefa Province |
Espiritu Santo Island, Sanma Province |
Tanna Island, Tafea Province |
Contact Information |
Department of Ports and Marine P: +678 22339 / 33600 F: +678 22475 Harbour Master – Capt. John Nasak |
Port Authority P: +678 36033 Harbour Master – Capt. Terry Ngwele |
|
Connections with Other Transport Means |
Road / Air |
Road / Air |
Road / Air |
Storage Capacity (m2 and m3) |
|
|
10 m x 4 m building |
Handling Equipment |
2 x 45 tonne reachstackers 2 x 10 tonne reachstackers 8 x forklifts |
3 x 35 mt mega forklift 1 x 18 mt forklift 4 x 3.5 mt forklift 2 x sidelifters (20 ft and 40 ft) |
None |
Customs Clearance Available |
Yes |
Yes |
No, but can be requested if needed |
Other Comments |
Stevedoring and container transportation is done by Ifira Wharf and Stevedoring |
Stevedoring and container transportation is done by Northern Islands Stevedoring Company Limited |
Cargo owners responsible for moving their cargo in and out of the wharf |