Tom Liu, general manager of Tinian Dynasty, said T-5 Corp.’s decision to resume Super Emerald’s passenger service between the islands will help address Tinian residents and its business sector’s transportation needs.
Super Emerald announced it is scheduled to begin tomorrow its weekly trial service between Saipan and Tinian.
The fee per trip is $25.
The Saipan-Tinian trip is scheduled at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. for the Tinian-Saipan route every Friday.
The 74-ton vessel was built in 1992 and measures 64.4 in length and can carry up to 45 passengers.
Liu said local residents will definitely benefit from Super Emerald because it is cheaper than taking a plane and can load more passengers and cargo.
He said businesses like Tinian Dynasty that want to buy supplies in bulk can also ship goods via Super Emerald.
Tinian Shipping and Transportation Inc., Tinian Dynasty’s sister company, stopped its ferry service on March 16 because its vessel must undergo dry docking repairs to comply with the American Bureau of Shipping’s regulations.
Liu said they hope to have the ferry back by September of this year.
“We have to find money to repair it — that’s an issue,” he told the Variety in a phone interview.
Tinian ferry used to have a daily service between Saipan and Tinian.
The fee per trip was $20 and the ferry could carry about 133 passengers.
Liu said they will welcome the Tinian municipality’s help.
“If Tinian municipality would be interested that would be a great partnership service to the community and tourists.
Without the ferry operation, the transportation cost in traveling between Tinian and Saipan would become more expensive,” he said.
A round-trip air ticket to Tinian costs $69 and the weight of cargo is limited because of the small size of the aircraft.
