For a more detailed database on disasters by country, please see the Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters Country Profile.

 

Seasonal Effects on Logistics Capacities

 

 There are generally no seasonal constraints or pinch points. Heavy rainfall and high winds during the cyclonic season are the likely issues.

 

 

Capacity and Contacts for In-Country Emergency Response

 

GOVERNMENT

The Government has been proactive in working toward a coordinated emergency management programme involving all response agencies to deal with emergencies and disasters. It has emergency response plans in place to deal with rapid onset disasters. The Ministry for Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) has oversight for The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), which works with National Emergency Services and Response Agencies such as Police, Fire and Ambulance in addition to humanitarian agencies including United Nations organisations and other NGO’s to increase the capacity and capability of the country to respond and recover from disasters.

Government organisations also coordinate with NZ and Australian Military Forces through the NDMO if their assistance is required. National organisations have monthly coordination meetings and at least bi-annually conduct national response exercises.

 

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

 

HUMANITARIAN COMMUNITY

There are a number of humanitarian organisations present; Red Cross, Adventist Disaster Relief Association, Caritas, and the UN agencies; UNICEF, WHO, FAO.

Their activities are coordinated through the NDMO.

 

For more information on humanitarian agency contact details, please see the following link: 4.2 Humanitarian Agency Contact List

 

 

Office of the Regulator

The Office of the Regulator ("OOTR") is Samoa’s Regulator for the telecommunications, broadcasting and postal sectors.   

The Regulator is tasked with implementing the licensing of telecommunications, broadcasting and postal services, promotion of new services and investment, consumer protection, prevention of anti-competitive activities by service providers, and management of the radio spectrum and national number plans.

 

Responsibilities include overseeing licensee’s compliance with the Acts, monitoring the market for anti-competitive behaviour, pricing issues, interconnection and universal access. The Division is also required to investigate and resolve consumer complaints and ensure quality of service.  

 

The Ministry Of Transport - Civil Aviation

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) is designated under the Act as the Civil Aviation Authority for Samoa, a role now with the Ministry of Works, Transport & Infrastructure (MWTI).

The Civil Aviation Division of the MWTI is tasked with enforcing the 1998 Civil Aviation Act, Civil Aviation Rules (CARs) & Regulations 2000 and advising the CEO on civil aviation policies to ensure Samoa complies with its obligations under ratified International Conventions, Treaties and Agreements.

The primary legislation governing civil aviation in Samoa is the Civil Aviation Act 1998 with the Civil Aviation Rules and Regulations 2000 as the secondary legislations.

Under its legal mandates, the Civil Aviation Division has responsibility for the safety oversight of all Civil Aviation Activities in Samoa, including:

-       Air Operations

-       Aircraft Maintenance and Airworthiness

-       Maintenance Organisations

-       Aerodrome Standards and Rescue Fire Services

-       Aviation and Airline Security

-       Air Traffic Services

-       Airport Telecommunication

-       Supply Organisations

-       Personnel Licensing

-       Monitor Samoa's compliance with its obligations under existing Air Services Agreements

-       Facilitate the issue of Air Service Licenses

-       Maintain Samoa's Aircraft Register

-       Facilitate the issue of Civil Aviation Certificates - Air Operator, Airworthiness, Certificated Organisations etc.

-       Validate Foreign Pilot's Licenses, Aircraft Engineering Licenses and issue Air Traffic Services Licenses

-       Facilitate the entry regulation of itinerant aircraft into Samoan airports

The Pacific Aviation Safety Office conducts the technical surveillance, assessment and safety auditing.

Maritime Division

The Maritime Division assist the Chief Executive Officer in dealing with matters regarding Maritime Policies and regulations on national, regional and international levels. It is responsible for overseeing all maritime transportation and related activities in Samoa.

Essential Regulatory Services

-            Ship Registration

-            Ship Surveying and Inspection

-            Shipping Crew Training and Certification

-            Ship Safety Clearances

-            Seafarers Employment Contracts

-            Security Assessment of ISPS Port Facilities and Ships

-            ISPS Audit of Ports and Ships

-            Approval Training Modules School of Maritime Training

-            STCW Audit Maritime Training Institution

-            Flag State, Coastal State and Port State Implementation

-            Technical Advice of International Convention and National Maritime Legislation to Shipping Industries, Ports, Training Institute and Seafarers

-            Monitor Compliance of International Convention and National Legislation

Land Transport

• Enforce construction standards for roads and drainage including pedestrian safety and climate resilience;
• Integrate best practice climate resilience measures into the design and planning of all transport networks;
• Ensure integrated development efforts with all other utility services.
• To provide a "point of contact" of the Ministry to serve as the primary liaison with the parties; and
• To establish the national network of public drains and provide details of that network to parties

• Regulate and monitor land transport network in Samoa

 

Ministry for Revenue - Customs Services

-            To manage and administer the taxation systems in a way that encourages compliance by all taxpayers

-            To facilitate trade and the movement of people across borders while at the same time protecting the community and ensuring compliance with laws; and

-            To efficiently collect the correct revenue due to the State

Samoa Quarantine Service

Samoa Quarantine Service (SQS) is part of the Ministry of Agriculture, and its main job is to protect Samoa against incursions of unwanted organisms such as animal and plant pests and diseases, weed species, or anything else that could alter its environment.
 

The Samoa Quarantine Service operates a twenty-four-hour, seven-days-a-week service, maintaining a presence at key points for entry of biosecurity risk goods - airports, seaports, cargo depots and the mail centre at Apia.

The Samoa Quarantine Service works in tandem with other inspection agencies at the border (Immigration, Customs and Health) for a whole-of-government approach to border protection.

 

Ministry of Health

Policy advice and regulatory management to ensure that legislations, regulations, and policies are adhered to for safe and quality of health systems

Policy advice on the monitoring and evaluation of health standards to maintain an efficient, transparent, and accountable health system that will impact on health status of Samoans

Serves to manage, coordinate and provide the linking mechanisms between participating ministerial entities and sector partners involved in the Health Sector Wide Approach Program, to improve and harmonize the effectiveness of donor aid and health systems performance within the context of the MOH Act 2006.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

Responsible for land management and for promoting the use of alternative energy sources to mitigate the effects of climate change.

This ministry has oversight for the Samoa National Disaster Management Office

 

Chamber of Commerce

The Samoa Chamber Of Commerce has over 400 members. It is a well-structured organisation with a good database of contacts throughout all sectors of the business community.

For more information on regulatory departments and quality control laboratories’ contact details, please see the following links: 4.1 Samoa Government Contact List 

 

 

Faleolo International Airport and Apia Port are the main entry points for commodities in Samoa. For these two places, customs can be contacted through the central Customs Department Office in Apia.

Duties and Tax Exemption

For contact information regarding government custom authorities, please follow the link below: 

4.1 Samoa Government Contact List

Emergency Response

 

Exemption Regular Regime (Non-Emergency Response)

Relative to disaster response, when the state of emergency is declared by the Head of States, aid from UN and other agencies, countries and organisations are exempted from duties and taxes.  The exemption can be granted upon provision the letter from National Disaster Recovery Committee to confirm that this is disaster relief supplies.  The exception will apply to prohibited and restricted items as well as motor vehicles.

 

 

Exemption Certificate Document Requirements

 

Exemption Certificate Document Requirements

 

 

 

Customs Clearance

General Information 

Customs Clearance Document Requirements

The concept of transit does not apply in the context of Samoa.

There are 6 ports in Samoa – 4 ports located on the main island of Upolo and 2 ports located on the island of Savaii.

The primary international port is Apia at Matauta, which provides facilities for international freight movements, including container ships, bulk petroleum products, cruise and other vessel arrivals, as well as some inter-island ferry services. Apia Port also handles around 5,000 mt per annum of the domestic inshore fishing industry catch.

Other ports are used only as domestic (inter-island) ferry terminals, or rarely, if at all. Whilst there are long-term plans to develop a port for cruise ships and yachts at Fagamalo Bay, a commercial port at Vaiusu Bay and the redevelopment of the port at Asau, there is no immediate funding plan for these projects.

 

Key airport information may also be found at: http://worldaerodata.com/wad.cgi?id=WS24703

National Airlines

Samoa Airways, Samoa’s national air carrier, is licensed and certified by the Ministry to operate scheduled and non-scheduled air services.  Flights to Australia and New Zealand depart from Faleolo Airport and to American Samoa from Fangali’I Airport.

Talofa Airways operates flights to American Samoa and Tonga from Fagali’I Airport.

Foreign Air Carriers

Air New Zealand operates B767 services to Los Angeles via Samoa and Airbus A320 services to/from Auckland alternating with the B767.

Air Pacific operates twice weekly, scheduled flights to/from Nadi, Fiji, utilizing B737-800, with a weekly flight through Samoa to Honolulu.

Virgin Australia operates flights to Australia.

Three airports, Faleolo, Maota and Asau, are managed and operated by the Samoa Airport Authority (SAA) with Polynesian Holdings Limited operating Fagali’I airport. All the airports are certified by the Ministry in accordance with their intended usage by the airport operators.

Faleolo International Airport caters for all civil aircraft up to B747 size with its 3000m runway, and is compliant with CAR Pt 139 and ICAO Annex 14 Standards. The airport has a Cat I ILS for Runway 08.

There is a proposal to construct a new national airport serving Pago Pago at TIAVEA. It is anticipated work may start on this in 2019. It is planned that it will take aircraft of C130 and lighter.

  

For more information on government agency and airport company contact information, please see the following links: 4.1 Government Contact List and 4.5 Airport Companies Contact List

 

Procedures for Foreign Registered Aircraft

 

The Ministry of Works, Transport & Infrastructure is the appropriate authority for issues regarding Civil Aviation in Samoa. In terms of registration of foreign aircrafts, this may be complex for the UN, but it is recommended that for any humanitarian or emergency responses providing assistance to Samoa, this is to be communicated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade who then deal with issuing Diplomatic Clearances for such purposes.

For all the humanitarian flights, permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to be obtained to land (international landing) or to fly over the territory of Samoa.

 The following documentation will need to be attached:

•  Air operator certificate
• Certificate of aircraft registration
• Aircraft radio license
• Aircrew documents (original to be presented)
• Contract agreement for the intended operation in Samoa

At the time of inspection, original copies of the above documents will be verified, as well as the operations manual, maintenance control manual, etc.

Non-scheduled flights intending to land at a Samoan airport shall request permission from the Secretary for Transport/CEO, Ministry of Works, Transport & Infrastructure (MWTI), Private Bag, Samoa, 7 days prior to departure and should include the following information:

 i. Name and address of the aircraft operator
ii. Type and Registration marks of the aircraft
iii. Name, address and business of charterer
iv. Proposed date and place of origin of flight
v. Routes including dates and times of estimated arrival/departure
vi. Number of passengers and/or nature and amount of freight
vii. Purpose of flight

Prior approval must be obtained before aircraft departs last port prior to Samoa.

 

Samoa’s road network is in generally good repair and is well maintained. Maintenance is contracted out to several individual companies who are responsible for their particular sector of the road network and ensure it is kept in good condition all year round. There are no obvious bottlenecks, however there may be delay issues with the ferry crossing to Savai’i in case of violent storms or cyclones. Cyclonic storms are also responsible for knocking down trees and power lines that run alongside roads, causing disruption to transport.

The government is planning to widen the main thoroughfare from Apia to Faleolo International Airport. Estimated completion for this project is mid-2020. This will improve safety and ease of truck transport on this main arterial route.

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

Distance Matrix

*Requires ferry crossing (2 hours)

 

*Denotes trip time, including 2 hour ferry crossing

Road Security

There are no issues with Samoa road security.

Weighbridges and Axle Load Limits

Weight bridges at port ensure all weight rules are complied with before exiting the port.

 

Samoa has no ‘internal waterways’, however ferries provide a vital link between the 2 main islands of Upolo and Savai’i. The Government of Samoa established the Samoa Shipping Corporation (SSC) in 1974 with the objective of operating a vehicular and passenger ferry service between the main Samoan islands. The SSC now operates a fleet of five (5) vessels providing travel to Salelologa, Savai’i from Mulifanua (and vice versa) daily, and sailings once a week to American Samoa. The same vessels also service charter requests including the transportation of gas (dangerous goods) across to Savai’i. They also charter to Tokelau, American Samoa, the Cook Islands and the Swain Islands.

In general, Samoan shippers and freight forwarders are satisfied with the availability of shipping space and the frequency of current shipping services. The services provided by shipping lines are considered reliable and of a satisfactory quality.

Details on timetables and fares can be accessed at http://www.samoashipping.com/timetable-and-fares

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

Company Information

Samoa Shipping Corporation (SSC)) has existed for over 40 years since being set up by the Samoan Government. They are experienced in local sea transportation, as well as regional services to Tokelau, the Swains Islands and Cook Islands. Whilst SSC does not have a legislative monopoly, its established position and the small scale of the market have tended to discourage new entrants. It maintains a safe and efficient service.

For more information on waterway company contact details, please see the following link: 4.3 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List 

 

Travel Time Matrix

The times cited in the table below are in hours and are for either barges or ferries, as a guideline.

M.V Lady Naomi   

M.V Lady Samoa III  

M.V Samoa Express

M.V Fotu o Samoa II

 

Samoa has limited warehousing capacities throughout the country. In the main centre of Apia transport, wholesale food and hardware companies fully utilise their storage capacities, and some may be willing to provide ad-hoc support in time of emergencies. There are many flat areas, suitable for either container storage or the erection of Mobile Storage Units (MSUs) if required in an emergency situation (e.g. Betham Brothers Enterprises have 2 acres security fenced).

There are also school and church buildings that would be available for temporary storage.

In the villages, the churches are the most appropriate temporary storage facilities; the Mormon churches particularly are very solid and located in fenced and protected environments. Each village has churches on its territory, and there are also many open-sided meeting houses (Fale Tele) throughout all villages. 

For more information on storage company contact details, please see the following link: HQ staff will input a link to section 4.6 Storage and Milling Companies Contact List here.

Commercial Storage

Containers are generally used for short-term storage; these are readily available for rental or procurement.

Around the port, a network of container depots and pack/unpack facilities can be seen. Some important warehousing and distribution centres have sprung up, but these are often dedicated to major commodities, such as industrial products. The Port of Apia handles the majority of export and import cargo, and the minor ports have little or no storage facilities.

There are few facilities that could be considered intermodal sites. At the ports there are the usual on-wharf container stacking areas and limited covered packing/unpacking facilities within the port precincts. Some private sector transport companies and shipping lines have off-wharf container depots providing some consolidation areas for container storage. There are also some industry specific warehouse and distribution centres but little in the way of common user stores.

 

 

[1] Warehouse Type: Open storage, container, rub-hall, silo, concrete, other, unspecified

[2] Warehouse Access: Raised-siding, flat

[3] Warehouse condition: Appears intact, appears damaged, under construction/repair

Storage Used by Humanitarian Organisations

Storage capacities at the main logistics hubs (i.e. Apia port, Faleolo International airport) are available for emergency operations, however the size and operational aspects of those capacities are only sufficient for small to medium scale scenarios. Any large-scale emergency operations will need additional storage capacities. 

In the secured area of the International Airport (13°49'52.37"S 172° 0'7.82"W), land is available for setting up MSUs. This land is in a flood-free area but should require a raised platform before MSU’s are erected (in case of heavy rains).

The International Airport is in a disaster-prone area (cyclone surge waves). 

Near the NEOC / Fire Division compound, a disaster-free area, land is also available for setting up MSUs (13°50'30.35"S 171°48'36.47"W).

The land is in a flood free area but should require a raised platform before MSUs are erected (in case of heavy rains).

Contingency Stocks

Several agencies manage pre-positioned stock of humanitarian contingency items in various locations throughout in the country. The largest of these, Red Cross, aim to have stocks of tarps, tents, water containers, WASH items blankets etc. in quantities sufficient to supply 10% of the population of each area stocks are prepositioned in.  

Shipping containers are used for storage and are generally fully utilized. There are ongoing plans to share storage space between agencies. This is being coordinated by the WFP (Fiji office).

The following agencies have prepositioned stock in Samoa: Samoa Red Cross, Caritas, NDMO, ADRA and Rotary.

For further details, all monthly stockpile mapping is posted through the Pacific Page under ‘Preparedness’ on the Global Log Cluster website.

See the following link https://logcluster.org/preparedness/pacific

Public Sector Storage

There is no public sector storage of any significant capacity available.

Cold Chain Storage

Local cool chain storage is limited to private facilities used by food wholesalers and retailers and is generally fully utilized. They often consist of refrigerated containers. For incoming agencies these should be arranged prior to arriving.

 

 

There is no milling capacity, as there are no milling facilities in Samoa.

 

 

Fuel Overview

Fuel is imported by tanker ships from Singapore and stored at the government-owned fuel farm in Sogi, Apia.

In 1998, the government nationalised all storage facilities in Samoa and then tendered the rights to distribute fuel throughout the country. Currently, Petroleum Product Supplies Ltd (PPS) has the sole rights for fuel (diesel, petrol, Jet A-1) distribution to private retail outlets, the port and airports.

Fuel tanker ships bringing fuel from Singapore are regularly delayed, but this has never resulted in fuel shortages to distributors or consumers, or the need to ration fuel. Generally there are no issues with supply or distribution.  

Fuel farm storage capacity:

Diesel:   8,700 mt (equivalent to 70 days consumption @ av. usage of 125 mt/day)   

Petrol:   4,400 mt (equivalent to 56 days consumption @ av. usage of 78 mt/day)

Jet A-1:  2,400 mt (equivalent to 70 days consumption @ av. usage of 34 mt/day)

Reserve levels are kept at 18 days of consumption.

PPS has a storage capacity at Faleolo Airport of 534 mt of Jet A-1 fuel.

 For more information on government and fuel provider contact details, please see the following links: HQ staff will input links to sections 4.1 Government Contact List and 4.7 Fuel Providers Contact List here.

Information may also be found at: http://www.mytravelcost.com/petrol-prices/ which is updated monthly. 

Fuel Pricing

Pricing is based on the wholesale price of the fuel sourced from Singapore. Price is set by PPS at the start of each month and held for the month, as a policy of government regulation. The price of fuel changes monthly, reflecting the shift in the Singapore market’s wholesale rate.

 

Seasonal Variations 

There are no seasons/seasonal variations in Samoa. However, Singapore wholesale prices do tend to rise in response to higher demand for heating fuel during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter, and consequently affect Samoan fuel prices.

 

Fuel Transportation

PPS has it own tanker trucks for distribution. It has a total of 18, ranging in capacity from 5.000 L to 30,000 L. Savai’i Island is supplied by charter vessel; the vessel’s bulk tanks carry diesel, and petrol is transported on deck using ISO tanks. The 2 small Channel Islands are not supplied by PPS. Current capacity is sufficient for local needs and the supplier could cater for increased demand if required by the humanitarian community.

 

Standards, Quality and Testing

Fuel quality standards are to international specifications and a recognised New Zealand laboratory carries out all testing.

 

 

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and the WFP/Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.

Please note: WFP/Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.

 

Samoa is well served by transporters; there are several large operators who dominate the market by virtue of their ability to procure new equipment from New Zealand or Australia. (The government has legislated against importing trucks over 10 years old, making purchase costs prohibitive for most single unit owner-drivers to enter the market.)  They operate well-maintained fleets and are capable of satisfying local demand, and any anticipated surge demand in case of a disaster response. There are also adequate supplies of road contractor machinery and handling equipment in the country. There are large numbers of privately-owned, smaller, flat deck trucks that would be available to lease or contract for smaller capacity transport requirements (3-5 mt). It is impractical for foreign operators to enter the market due to the isolated nature of the country.

The island of Savai’i has a contractor with 2 x 20’ container side lifter trucks, which is adequate for local requirements. If other equipment is required, it is transported to the island by chartered barge.

For more information on transport company contact details, please see the following link: 4.7 Transporter Contact List 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and the WFP/Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.

Please note: The WFP/Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.

 

Overview

Samoa is generally well-placed to provide services that may be required by agencies. All normal facilities and supplies are readily available and there are plenty of local, skilled operators, services and tradespeople. Due to a lack of manufacturing capacity in country, if very large numbers of particular items (e.g. tents, small generators) are required, it should be noted that importation would be required, generally from Australia (10-13 days) or New Zealand (5-7 days) by sea.

For more information on company contact details, please see the following link: 4.8 Additional Service Provision Contact List

Accommodation

Due to its attraction as a tourist destination, there is an abundance of accommodation options in Samoa ranging from 4-star hotels to bungalow-style beach accommodation. In the advent of a humanitarian crisis, there is unlikely to be any tourist demand for these beds. There are sufficient accommodation options available that meet the minimum-security options for agencies.

 

Electricity and Power

Voltage in Samoa is 240V.

The Electric Power Corporation (EPC) is a state-owned enterprise, established under the Electric Power Corporation Act 1980 to generate, transmit, distribute and sell electricity throughout Samoa. The utility operates as a separate entity and is defined as a public trading body under the Public Bodies Act (2001), with the principal objective of operating as a commercial business. The corporation now provides power to 98 per cent of the population of Samoa. EPC’s power system is comprised of a grid on each of Upolu and Savai’i islands, which together account for nearly all energy sales, and small stand-alone solar and diesel generation schemes on two isolated islands.

EPC is governed by a board of directors that is responsible to the Minister of Public Enterprises.

The main source of power is from the National Grid; however, many hotels and businesses have standby generators in place, leftover from several years ago when supply from the grid was erratic. Very few interruptions to supply are experienced now, (potentially once or twice a year for 1-2 hours), and are generally a result of car accidents bringing down roadside supply lines or occasional fuel blocks to diesel generators at the grid.

The country has sufficient power generation to supply the entire country at all times, and supply extends to all but the most rural areas (approximately 2% of households are without National Grid supplied power and EPC is working towards reaching these). The cost of electricity is high; this is partly a result of Samoa’s relatively high level of reliance on diesel-powered generation.

 

 

Financial Services

Samoa has all financial and economic services available such as banks, credit card unions, and accountancy companies. Most have international affiliations and are trained and qualified to standards comparable to New Zealand and Australia.

National Bank Of Samoa

The National Bank of Samoa is a locally-owned and operated commercial trading bank. From its humble beginnings as a family owned and managed business in the mid ‘90’s, NBS has grown to be a major player in the Samoan banking and commercial sectors.

 

 

 

 

BANK SOUTH PACIFIC (BSP)

BSP operates in many countries throughout the South Pacific. BSP has the largest branch network in Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu, with branches and sub-branches in cities, towns, and remote rural areas throughout these countries. Their branch network is complemented by electronic banking networks wherever they operate. BSP also has three 100% owned subsidiaries; BSP Capital Ltd - stockbroking and funds management in PNG; BSP Finance - specialist Asset Finance company in Fiji and PNG, and BSP Life - specialist Life Insurance company in Fiji.

 

 

 

ANZ BANK

ANZ Bank (Samoa) Limited ("ANZ Samoa") was first established in Samoa in 1990, then trading as Bank of Western Samoa. It is an international bank.

It is represented by two full branches in Apia and Vaitele, one in Savai’i and one Airport Agency at Faleolo International Airport. Their staff can assist both local and foreign customers with a comprehensive range of personal and commercial banking requirements.

 

 

 

Clearing and Forwarding Agents

There are a number of clearing and forwarding agents based in Apia; most have offices or agencies close to the main port and the international airport. They are reliable and efficient with a number acting as agents for international companies such as UPS and DHL.

Handling Equipment

There is abundant freight handling equipment for lease, or operated by private contractors. Equipment is readily available and maintained in good condition. There are plenty of skilled operators. There are pallets available if required, as many goods are imported using them.

Postal and Courier Services

There are international courier services (DHL, UPS, FEDEX) operating in Samoa, principally based in Apia. They operate to international standards of reliability. The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology is responsible for the government-run postal service, Samoa Post, which provides efficient domestic and international parcel and letter delivery through 10 sub offices on the 2 main islands.

Printing and Publishing

There are a number of commercial printing and publishing services available in Apia with up-to-date technology for large or small printing work, including brochures and booklets, signs, posters and banners. They are easily accessible and employ capable technicians.

Taxi Companies

There are many taxi companies and taxis in Samoa. They are in good condition, safe, plentiful and easy to hail on the street, and pricing is competitive. It pays to settle on a fare before embarking on a trip as they are not metered.

Vehicle Rental

There are a number of rental car companies offering quality late model cars and vans for hire. There is generally ample supply of vehicles and an organization should be able to meet its initial needs through renting.

 

Waste Management and Disposal Services

Domestic waste is collected curbside using platforms or rubbish stands and wheelie bins. Commercial waste is picked up from collection areas. The government contracts out this service to the private sector. There is a special collection called Bulky Collection which includes different heavy wastes and recyclable materials. Aluminium cans are collected for recycling, however most other materials go to landfill.

Waste Disposal – Non-Hazardous

There is 100 acres set aside on the outskirts of Apia for waste landfill. The landfill is managed; all vehicles go over a weighbridge and are charged for dumping. Waste is compacted and covered on a daily basis. Basel and Waigani Convention processes are implemented.

On the island of Savai’i there is a landfill, and while not managed on a daily basis, there is a contractor using a compactor machine that visits it regularly to ensure waste is compacted and covered.

 

Waste disposal – Hazardous

Hazardous wastes are not allowed to dispose in the landfill. Companies and organisations are advised to store their hazardous wastes and seek disposal companies overseas for disposal. Basel and Waigani Convention processes are implemented through trans-boundary movement of wastes.

Used oil is not allowed to be disposed of at the landfill. Recycling companies are now planning to collect used oil to be shipped overseas. Major suppliers and consumers of used oil (eg; EPC, PPS) are storing their used oil to be shipped overseas. Again, Basel and Waigani Convention processes are included. E-wastes for government ministries are collected and stored in the government premises at Vaimea. Household e-wastes (bulky electrical wastes are collected through bulky waste collection), valuable items will be taken by recycling companies, others go to the specific e-waste cell at the landfill. 

Wastewater is stored in septic tanks by all households. Commercial lines are connected to the Waste Water Treatment Plant system within the town area; others (including household and organisations not connected to the sewage line), will be pumped by contractors and transported to the sludge facility. Both Upolu and Savai’i have sludge facility lagoons.

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and the WFP/Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.

Please note: The WFP/Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.

 

The telecommunications infrastructure is well-established and almost 90% of the country has telephone and Internet coverage. There are 2 major telecommunication companies present, Blue Sky and Digicel, providing a competitive marketplace. There are no restrictions on obtaining SIM cards and mobile numbers, other than providing ID. Data plans are readily available through either of these 2 companies, or several smaller ISP companies.

E-Sky is a privatised Public Body. 25% is still held by the Unit Trust Of Samoa (UTOS), an investment vehicle that lets Samoan citizens take a stake in the company.

Digicel is a company owned by the Irish billionaire Dennis O’Brian, incorporated in Bermuda, and based in Jamaica.

For more information on telecoms contacts, please see the following link: 4.8 Additional Service Provision Contact List 

Telecommunications Regulations

The Office Of The Regulator is responsible for the issuing of all licenses in regards telecommunications and wireless transmissions. There are regulations in place for all the forms of communication listed below and permission must be granted before. For VSAT devices such as handheld Thurayas, they may be brought into the country and used with no special permission, provided an external link provider has already connected them.

 

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems

Only the larger UN agencies have VSAT phones (see table below). All agencies have radios, however since UNDSS agency left the country in 2015, they do not have a dedicated frequency to operate on.

 

 

The Disaster Management Office and Red Cross are the only agencies that use the Emergency Radio Network (ERN).

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

 

There are a number of ISPs available that organizations are able to contract through, used by Samoan businesses. Reliability and bandwidths are good (4G is readily available). Netvo provides a VSAT connection, and the other providers do so via cable connection (leased from Blue Sky’s).

 

 

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)

There are 2 MNO companies operating; Sky has 100% 3G coverage of the country, and Digicel which has 75% country coverage.

Both offer similar services including mobile money. Blue Sky has superior coverage and 4G+ in urban areas, whilst Digicel has lesser coverage and achieves a maximum of 3G speeds.

 

For information on MNOs please visit the GSM Association website.

Samoa is largely self-sufficient in ‘staple’ food supplies. Major food commodities consumed are coconuts, wheat flour, pork, sugar (refined), taro (cocoyam) and vegetables. Markets and stores are plentiful and well-stocked with other imported food commodities, largely from Australia and New Zealand.

Suppliers are generally reliable, and the government will privilege national procurement over importing emergency relief items. This being said, even if nearly all NF humanitarian items (shelters, cooking kits, hygiene kits) may be found in country, the local suppliers only maintain stocks fitting with the general needs of the country, and are not ready for a surge, or for signing stand-by agreements/buffer stocks agreements with the humanitarian agencies.

In 2016, Samoa exported $89.9M and imported $427M.

The top exports of Samoa were Insulated Wire ($21.4M) (since been discontinued), Non-fillet Frozen Fish ($18.7M), and Refined Petroleum ($12M) transhipped to smaller Pacific neighbours such as Tokelau. Its top imports are Refined Petroleum($41.3M), Coated Flat-Rolled Iron($20.4M), Poultry Meat ($17.8M), and cars ($13.1M).

Samoa is not a major manufacturing economy, but it does manufacture some processed agricultural products such as fruit juices and coconut products.

Generic country information can be located from sources, which are regularly maintained and reflect current facts and figures. For a general overview of country data related to the service and supply sectors, please consult the following sources:

The Observatory of Economic Complexity – MIT (OEC):  https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/wsm/

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and the WFP/Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.

Please note: The WFP/Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.