St Helena : St Helena Makes Alternative Shipping Arrangements Post Airport
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Juanita Brock) 27.07.2008 (Article Archived on 10.08.2008)

It has always been known that St Helena will require the services of a suitable replacement sea freight option with, where possible, ship based passenger services following the commencement of air services in or around 2012 when the RMS St Helena is expected to be taken of line.

ACCESS PROJECT – PRESS RELEASE

ALTERNATIVE SHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS POST AIRPORT

It has always been known that St Helena will require the services of a suitable replacement sea freight option with, where possible, ship based passenger services following the commencement of air services in or around 2012 when the RMS St Helena is expected to be taken of line.  As a result we have recently commissioned WSP to approach the market and carry out a review of the future freight and passenger options that would be available for St Helena and Ascension Island.

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide a fully researched, evaluated and tested set of options to enable St Helena Government (SHG) to make an informed decision about the provision of future shipping services.

WSP will be expected to liaise with SHG, the Ascension Island Government (AIG), St Helena Line, Andrew Weir Shipping in the UK, Cape Town and Namibia and Solomon & Company on island.  They will also be expected to consult with all other key stakeholders including local traders, the National Economic Forum and the Chamber of Commerce and members of the public.

To kick-start the review, Allan Duncan will be visiting the island for one week when the ship arrives from Cape Town on Thursday 7^th August.  It is important that Allan uses this time to find out as much as possible about the current and future needs of the island and any ongoing limitations.  A visit programme for Allan is currently being produced which will include a public surgery session where any member of the public can drop in to discuss future shipping requirements.  Further details on meeting dates/times will be released shortly.

Sharon Wainwright

SHG Access Project Manager

23^rd July 2008

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