Tonga ferry replacement bids

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Tonga could soon have an interim ferry service to replace the Princess Ashika which sunk last month with the loss of 73 lives.

NZAID has been co-ordinating the tender process for a replacement ferry, in conjunction with AusAID and the Tongan government.

Tenders closed a week ago and operators from New Zealand, the Pacific, and Europe all put forward proposals to run a service between the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa and outlying northern islands, said NZAID spokesman Adham (crrct) Crichton.

An assessment panel would now decide on the most appropriate provider, he told local newspaper Matangi Tonga.

"The aim is to have the interim charter ferry service in place as soon as possible following a fair and open tender process."

The charter period was expected to be up to 18 months , with a permanent replacement vessel funded by the Japanese government due to arrive in 2011, Mr Crichton said.

- NZPA