Chinese Government provides $2.1 million grant for provision of two ships and agricultural machinery (Linked to Project ID#66388)

On 25 June 2004, China Ministry of Commerce approved the proposal to donate two brand-new passenger/cargo ships and agricultural machinery worth $2.1 million to the Vanuatu government (or 援瓦客货两用船). The ships are called the Northern Star and Southern Star. The grant was made through an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement signed on July 4th, 2003 (captured in #66388). The aid came about after a request made by the Vanuatu government for vessels that could carry passengers and farm produce to the markets in Port Vila and Luganville. The project was implemented by Wuhan Nanhua High-speed Ship Engineering Co., Ltd. On November 18th, 2005, a handover ceremony was help for the donation of the vessels. The ceremony was held in Port Vila and attended by the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, the Chinese Ambassador, and 60 other officials and representatives. The two vessels will service the southern and northern islands.

Number of official sources

5

Number of total sources

9