Tuilaepa: Lolo’s request to reroute containers will impact exports

Apia, SAMOA — The recent COVID19 scare involving crew members of the Fesco Askold has prompted ASG to request all container ships heading to the two Samoas to dock first at American Samoa before heading to Apia.

And the offer Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi noted, will impact the import and export of crucial goods not to mention altering a lot of existing trade arrangements between the two countries.

“We export to American Samoa, through this shipping route, about 378 tons of fish per month as raw supply for the canneries, the territories biggest employers,” the Prime Minister said.

“I spoke with the leader of the Government of American Samoa, and we have a mutual understanding of the ramifications of an alteration in the shipping route,” he added.

Fishing companies based in Samoa package and export their products out to various countries in the region. According to the Prime Minister, American Samoa is one of these countries.

The Samoa Government has already been in contact with the American Samoa government and the shipping companies that cater to the Pacific region’s imported good and products.

“This is why we are in close contact with American Samoa, because aside from fish we also export 25 tons of taro a month to American Samoa,” he added.

Tuilaepa says these challenges are taken under considerations as discussions between the two Samoas continue.

However, over the weekend Swire Shipping notified customers for their Polynesia Service that the vessel rotation has been altered to go to American Samoa directly from Oakland, CA and then on to Samoa.

Meanwhile, the Samoa Government is keeping the door open for repatriation of Samoa citizens living in the territory.

“We also discussed the possibility of having our borders open for our people there to come home. We are certain that American Samoa does not have a case and is safe,” he added.

For now shipping and airline links to the territory have been lifted but only to export cargo from Samoa to American Samoa and for Samoan citizens in the territory to return home.