Completion date for first “Super Alia” moved to 2023

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The “American Samoa Motu Ripoti ” — or Island Report prepared by staff of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, shows that the first, of the four “Super Alia” or “Alia Tele” projects awarded last year to a Washington state-based company, is estimated to be completed early next year.

The US Economic Development Administration (EDA) in 2020 awarded $4.4 million for the Super Alia project, which the previous Administration had touted as the “future commercial fishing vessel” that can go further out at sea and stay out longer fishing than the current traditional alias.

The Island Report submitted to the Council meeting late last year states that the ASG Chief Procurement Officer awarded on Nov. 24, 2021, the contract to build four “Super Alia” fishing vessels to Armstrong Consolidated Inc., based in Port Townsend, Washington.  The project is overseen by the ASG Commerce Department (DOC).

The Council report at the time stated that the first complete turn-key vessel was expected to arrive in Pago Pago in April 2022. The remaining 3 ‘Super Alia’ would follow, fully completed with multi-purpose commercial fishing gear on-board. It also says that the cost of the government assets $3.04 million.

The “Motu Ripoti” made during last week’s hybrid Council meeting, provides an update on the project — which has been an issue raised by lawmakers due to the long delay in completion.

The report says that the contractor is now working on cutting the metal to form the construction of the first vessel, which is estimated to be completed in January or February of 2023.

It also states that the large components of the vessel are now being ordered and purchased e.g. engines, fishing gears etc. And this is the on-going work from the start in building the first pillar of the project.

According to the report, based on information from DOC, the project management is now working on compiling the incubation program or training and education syllabus for the establishment of the second pillar of this economic fisheries development initiative.

“This concept would keep the sustainability of the local fisheries going,” it says.

SHIPYARD

Another subject covered in the “Motu Ripoti” is an update on the ASG owned Satala-based shipyard, which the report says has accomplished its goal to be able to service larger vessels such as the purse seiners and U.S Coast Guard cutters.

It explained that last year, the shipyard repaired the cradles and revitalized the shipyard to bring it up to standards. At present, the shipyard cradle measures 310 feet-by-65 feet wide and has a total tonnage capacity of 3,000 tons.

The shipyard is working on another major project, which will increase its capabilities to dry-dock 4 to 5 boats  — longliners etc. — at a time.

Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga’s written statement to a U.S House Committee hearing last month first revealed these developments at the shipyard and the governor thanked the U.S Interior Department and Congress for providing the financial assistance.