Improving feeder shipping services among Small Island States (SIS) remained high on the Agenda of SIS
Leaders at the 17th SIS Leaders’ Summit, held on 19 August 2008 in Niue. The Leaders requested further
assistance from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s Regional Maritime Programme (SPC RMP) and
the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat to address the shipping problems faced by SIS. One of the decisions
required SPC RMP to progress the option of acquiring a purpose‐built vessel as outlined in the initial
feeder service report by SPC RMP in June 2007.

The purpose of this paper is to outline the requirements associated with acquiring and operating a ship
dedicated to providing feeder shipping service to SIS in the Pacific region. It is envisaged that information
contained in this paper will assist SIS to source the required funding from potential donors. The paper
elaborates on the options suggested in the initial feeder service report, focusing on vessel specifications,
ownership, management and operation, crewing and training, routes and marketing.