Chinese Government provides grant for Chief Malio Cargo-Passenger Ship Construction Project (Linked to Project ID#40012)

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. The Chief Mailo vessel was originally expected to launch in June 2004 and be presented to FSM in September 2004. However, the ship did not arrive in Chuuk until October 3, 2004 and the official handover ceremony took did not take place until October 8, 2004. The vessel subsequently had to halt its operations due to frequent breakdowns and poor fuel efficiency. The Chinese Government later funded repairs to this ship in 2009/10 with a grant worth RMB 14.5 million (as captured via Project ID#40012)

Additional details

This project is also known as the Chuuk Cargo-Passenger Ship Construction Project. The Chinese project title is 600吨客货两用船Chief Mailo号 or 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 vessel were already underway in December 2002. However, an FSM Government source refers to a ‘technical assistance program’ in which the Chinese Government agreed to fund and build two vessels for Micronesia (see: Apr. '04 Gov. of FSM). This issue requires further investigation.

Number of official sources

10

Number of total sources

10