Ifira Trustees Limited is currently working on plans to develop a slipway to assist ships in maintaining seaworthiness.

There are two potential sites currently under consideration.

In recent days, an oil spill occurred in the waters of Port Vila — an incident that highlighted concerns raised by many ship owners about the urgent need for a proper slipway.

Secretary of Ifira Trustees Limited, Michel Kalworai, told VBTC News that discussions are ongoing between the government and Ifira Trustees Limited regarding the project.

“We traveled to Santo with the government, through the Ministry of Internal Affairs, along with delegations from Ifira Trustees Limited, and visited the slipway site. So we will work together with the government on this slipway project,” Mr. Kalworai said.

He confirmed that an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed with the Ministry of Public Utilities and Infrastructure in April 2022, which includes the slipway development.

“Port Vila is already congested, especially along the foreshore. Planning is underway for other areas around Efate — one in Havannah, Nguna-Pele, and another in Forari. The northeast part of Efate is included under the Tourism Master Plan. These sites are designed to be environmentally friendly. However, land ownership remains an issue in some of these locations.”

Mr. Kalworai added that the government is responsible for setting the policy, while the private sector is encouraged to come in and look at ways to implement it.