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The Japanese Ambassador to Tonga, His Excellency Hisao Inagaki, handed over the new tugboat MV Fanga ‘I Lifuka to the people of Tonga in the presence of King Tupou VI of Tonga. The Ambassador stressed that the enduring friendship between Japan and Tonga stems from the friendly relations between the Imperial House of Japan and the Royal House of Tonga.
The tugboat, named “Fanga-‘I-Lifuka” by Tonga’s King Tupou VI, is an important addition to Tonga’s maritime fleet. Currently, five Japanese engineers are in Tonga providing operational training to Port Authority staff. MV Fanga ‘I Lifuka is funded by Japan’s Non-Project Grant Assistance (NPGA) program, worth 1 billion yen (15 million Tongan Pa’anga). This is the largest amount Japan has ever provided for an NPGA project, highlighting the importance Japan places on enhancing Tonga’s maritime capabilities.
With 4,500 horsepower and twin propellers, the Fanga-‘I-Lifuka is the largest tugboat currently in the Port Authority’s Tonga fleet, replacing a tugboat donated by Japan in 1994. The new vessel is named in honour of the original MV Fanga ‘I Lifuka, which last sailed in 1961, and is a reminder of Lifuka, the island after which Captain James Cook named Tonga the “Friendly Islands”.
Given that 98% of Tonga’s cargo is transported by sea, the new tugboat is vital to the country.
This event is the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) was held in Japan and was attended by a Tongan delegation led by Prime Minister Sovalenei.
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