Tuitui Moana Begins Journey Home to the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands new passenger and cargo vessel, Tuitui Moana, officially departed Nansha, Guangzhou, China yesterday, beginning her delivery voyage home to the Cook Islands.

The voyage will take the vessel through Cebu in the Philippines, Lae in Papua New Guinea, and Suva in Fiji, before arriving in Rarotonga. The journey is expected to take approximately 46 days, depending on weather and operational conditions.

The departure follows months of preparation by the Cook Islands delivery team, international support personnel, and the shipyard.

Before leaving China, the team completed extensive vessel testing, engineering checks, procurement of spare parts, voyage planning, insurance and certification requirements, and coordination with port agents at each planned stop. The vessel was also fully stocked with the supplies needed for the international voyage, including food, medical supplies, safety equipment, bedding, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and operational inventory. There are no passengers travelling onboard and no personal cargo has been loaded onto the vessel.

Instead, Tuitui Moana is carrying equipment that will support future shipping operations in the Cook Islands. This includes lighters, forklifts, IBC fuel tanks, spare parts, and operational inventory that will be used once the vessel enters service. The crew are in good spirits as they make their way towards their first stop in Cebu, Philippines, where the vessel's Financial Secretary will join the voyage as a member of the delivery crew.

Although the vessel has now departed China, work on the project continues. The team is finalising operational documentation, including Standard Operating Procedures, while recruitment continues for the remaining crew positions that will support Tuitui Moana's long-term operations in the Cook Islands.

The departure marks an important milestone for the project and brings the Cook Islands one step closer to welcoming Tuitui Moana home. Once in service, the vessel will strengthen connectivity between Rarotonga and the Pa Enua, supporting the movement of passengers, cargo, and essential supplies for years to come.

Further updates will be shared as Tuitui Moana continues her journey across the Pacific.

For more information, please contact Taina Iro.

Major Projects and Procurement Support Division

Ministry of Finance and Economic Managementtaina.iro@cookislands.gov.ck