Kiribati
2.5 Kiribati Waterways

HQ to INSERT HERE navigable waterways map from GIS team in Rome.

 

There are no ‘internal’ waterways in Kiribati however inter-island water transport is the main form of transportation for people and goods in the country.

Ferries and landing craft are used extensively for transportation of people and cargo. Many of the outer islands do not have docking facilities for large ships and therefore landing craft are the preferred option for heavy cargo/vehicles, otherwise transhipment using small boats from ships anchored off the beach is the norm.  

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List 

Company Information 

There are several companies involved in inter-island shipping that provide passenger and cargo options, maintaining competition. There are some ongoing issues with safety as a result of overloading and ageing vessels, however there are a number of new landing craft available capable of carrying 50 – 150 passengers and 150 mt+ to beach locations safely (Kiribati National Shipping Line and Lu’s Marine).  Kiribati National Shipping Line is negotiating to purchase a 170 mt specialist fuel-carrying (International Marine Pollution Standard) landing craft.

For more information on waterway company contact details, please see the following link: 4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List 

Passenger Carrying Capacity

 

Oceanic Shipping

 Kiribati National Shipping Line

Lu’s Marine

Number of

Passenger Vessels

< 20 Passengers

0

0

0

Number of

Passenger Vessels

< 50 Passengers

2

1 x 30

1 x 39

1 x 50

(see Landing Craft below)

0

Number of

Passenger Vessels

< 100 Passengers

0

0

1 x 80

1 x 70

Number of

Passenger Vessels

> 100 Passengers

0

1 x 150

(see Landing Craft below)

0

Cargo Carrying Capacity

 

Oceanic Shipping

Kiribati National Shipping Line

Lu’s Marine

Boats

Number of Boats

0

0

3

Tonnage / Volume

Carrying Capacity (MT / m3)

0

0

2 x 50 mt (+80 Pax each)

1 x 70 mt

Landing Craft

Number of Landing Craft

2

2

0

Tonnage / Volume

Carrying Capacity (MT / m3)

1 x 100 mt

1 x 160 mt

2 x 200 mt

0

Tugs

Number of Tugs

N/a

N/a

N/a

Tonnage / Volume

Carrying Capacity (MT / m3)

N/a

N/a

N/a

Travel Time Matrix

Use an average shipping speed of 4-5 knots.

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