Chinese Government provides grant for Hapilmohol 1 Cargo-Passenger Ship Construction Project (Linked to Project ID#64510, #73403)

In 2004 and 2007, the Chinese Government donated two dual-purpose (cargo-passenger) ships to the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia: the Chief Malio (as captured via Project ID#64190) and the Hapilmohol 1 (as captured via Project ID#40029). According to China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), in December 2002, the FSM Minister of Infrastructure traveled to Wuhan shipyard and agreed on the design of the Chief Malio vessel (also known as the Chuuk vessel). By the time the FSM President Urusemal visited China in late March 2004, he was able to inspect this ship's construction progress and discuss plans for the second ship, the Hapilmohol 1 (also known as the Hapilmohol-1 vessel or Yap vessel). The Hapimohol 1 was designed and built by Wuhan Nanhua Express Ship Engineering Co., Ltd. The ship, 56 meters long and 670 tons heavy, was officially handed over to the local authorities in FSM on February 28, 2007. It was able to accommodate 192 passengers and transport various goods, including trucks and other vehicles. It was meant to provide transportation services for the residents of Yap who are scattered on more than 20 islands. The vessel eventually had to halt its operations due to frequent breakdowns and poor fuel efficiency. In response, the Chinese Government funded repairs to this ship (as captured via Project ID#64510, #73403).

Additional details

This project is also known as the Hapilmohol-1 Cargo-Passenger Ship Construction Project and the Yap Vessel Construction Project. The Chinese project title is 援密客货两用船项目. The commitment year (2002) is estimated based on the fact that discussions with the donor (MOFCOM) about the design of the Chief Malio vessel were already underway in December 2002. Also, an FSM Government source refers to a ‘technical assistance program’ in which the Chinese Government agreed to fund the construction of both the Hapilmohol 1 Cargo-Passenger Ship and the Chief Malio Cargo-Passenger Ship (see: Apr. '04 Gov. of FSM). This suggests that the two ships were funded through a single grant agreement, so AidData has made 2002 the commitment year for Project ID#64190 and Project ID#40029.

Number of official sources

11

Number of total sources

11