Vanuatu
Vanuatu - 2.5 Waterways Assessment
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There is a range of private sea transport companies operating out of Port Vila and Santo. Find below three passenger-carrying vessels that operate in Vanuatu for sea transport between three of the greater populated islands: 

  1. Vanuatu Ferry – carries passengers and cargo and travels between Port Vila, Santo, Malekula and Tanna; 

  1. Vanuatu Cargo – sister ship of Vanuatu Ferry; and 

  1. Big Sista – also services the more populated islands. 

Some of the smaller cargo vessels can carry up to five passengers however, these vessels are not designed for passenger transport. 

In the event of a national emergency, the Police Maritime Wing (PMW) will assist and coordinate through the National Disaster Management Office any event, incident or response relating to: 

  • Maritime logistics; 

  • Domestic vessel safety; and 

  • Sea transport of humanitarian cargo and people 

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

Company Information 

The Vanuatu Ferry and Big Sista are the major inter-island people-moving ships. Ocean Logistics is the major company for tugs and barges. There are multiple smaller landing crafts and maritime vessels operating privately to transport cargo and passengers across Vanuatu. 

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

Passenger Carrying Capacity 

 

Vanuatu Ferry 

Vanuatu Cargo 

Big Sista 

Number of 

Passengers 

 

450 

200 

200 

Cargo capacity 

900 mt 

1,050 mt 

Small carry-on cargo or 

boxed cargo 

Shipping route 

Malekula, Santo, Tanna 

Malekula, Santo, Ambae, Pentecost 

Epi, Paama, Maskelyne, Malekula, Santo 

Contact details 

P: +678 26999 / 7762064 

E: contact@vanuatu-ferry.com  

P: +678 26872 

P: +678 5683622 / 5625225 

E: bigsistavila@vanuatu.com.vu  

Travel Time Matrix 

Travel Time from Port of Port Vila to other Major Ports (average in hours)  

 

Efate 

Malekula 

Santo 

Ambae 

Pentecost 

Tanna 

Efate 

 

12 

16 

16 

14 

12 

Malekula 

12 

 

 

Santo  

16 

 

 

Ambae 

16 

 

 

Pentecost 

14 

 

 

Tanna 

12 

 

 

 

 

 

Port Information 

Key Port Information 

 

Port of Port Vila 

Port of Luganville 

Lenakel Wharf 

Location 

Efate Island, Shefa Province 

Espiritu Santo Island, Sanma Province 

Tanna Island, Tafea Province 

Contact Information 

Department of Ports and Marine 

P: +678 22339 / 33600 

F: +678 22475 

Harbour Master – Capt. John Nasak 

Port Authority 

P: +678 36033 

Harbour Master – Capt. Terry Ngwele 

 

Connections with Other 

Transport Means  

Road / Air 

Road / Air 

Road / Air 

Storage Capacity (m2 and m3) 

  • Container storage available 

  • Break bulk cargo warehouse also available 

  • Container storage available 

  • Break bulk cargo warehouse also available (1,000 m2) 

10 m x 4 m building 

Handling Equipment 

2 x 45 tonne reachstackers 

2 x 10 tonne reachstackers 

8 x forklifts 

3 x 35 mt mega forklift 

1 x 18 mt forklift 

4 x 3.5 mt forklift 

2 x sidelifters (20 ft and 40 ft) 

None 

Customs Clearance Available 

Yes 

Yes 

No, but can be requested if needed 

Other Comments 

Stevedoring and container transportation is done by Ifira Wharf and Stevedoring 

Stevedoring and container transportation is done by Northern Islands Stevedoring Company Limited 

Cargo owners responsible for moving their cargo in and out of the wharf 

 

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