M/V Luta to sail for Rota this week
M/V Luta, a retrofitted passenger and cargo vessel, will sail from its current port in Louisiana to Rota on Wednesday after its “christening” today.
Rota Mayor Efraim Atalig disclosed that the Japanese-owned vessel will take its maiden voyage and will reach the CNMI “in about 30 days.”
Atalig also confirmed that Lt. Ralph DLG. Torres and Senate President Victor B. Hocog (R-Rota) earlier flew to the U.S. mainland to attend the vessel’s christening.
The christening will be held today, and the ship will sail the day after, Atalig said.
A new ship is traditionally christened by breaking a bottle of champagne on the ship’s hull. It is often conducted to ensure its safe travel and for good luck.
M/V Luta will have an impact on Rota, as it is expected to help the island’s tourism and business sectors.
According to Atalig, one of the immediate impact will be the lowering of ferry fares and transport costs of goods.
M/V Luta can carry both passengers and cargo.
Atalig, however, said he is not sure how low the ferry fares will go, and this will be up to the operators of M/V Luta.
In January, Hocog hosted a meeting with the owners of the vessel, the U.S. Coast Guard, and officials of Rota to discuss the impending arrival of the vessel.
In September 2014, Japanese businessman Takahisa Yamamoto invested about $1.6 million in the retrofitted cargo and passenger ship that will bring passengers, agricultural goods, and other consumer items to and from Rota, Saipan, Tinian, the Northern Islands, and Guam.
Yamamoto, from Osaka, Japan, owns Luta Mermaid LLC, the main business of which is to operate M/V Luta.
“Luta” is other name for “Rota,” where the cargo ship will be home-ported.
The 150-foot-long, 500-ton cargo ship was in Louisiana to obtain a certificate of inspection from the U.S. Coast Guard. The ship can accommodate 18 passengers and can carry up to 28 20-foot containers.
Hocog, who has helped Yamamoto realize his plan to further develop Rota, said having a cargo ship home-ported on Rota will reduce freight costs and lower the price of commodities.
The senator said this cargo ship will also be the “answer” to Rota’s longstanding problem of food and other commodities shortage every time barges cannot go into the port because of rough seas.
Who paid for these two people to fly to the US Mainland to attend the christening? I hope it was not taxpayer money. I hope this endeavor works out for the best.
I still have apprehension due the West Harbor channel and the size of this vessel interring the channel during rough weather, this along with mooring to the dock with the very bad swells.
Since this vessel will be home ported on Rota maybe they can get a Casino license ad have an operating Casino during their travels as the customer passenger base will undoubtedly be local..(depending o the fare and the food availability)
Buenas George,
Maybe without the money from the CNMI government, MV Luta may not or can not be release from the shipyard in Louisiana. $50,000 per month was incurred during its stay there. Its obligation needs to be settled before leaving the area. Thanks to the CNMI government, the ship was finally was able to be release from non payment of its debt incurred. This is not government subsidy. It is government corruption to the max.
The word is corruption.
Buenas,
We can pray all we want, but the Japanese guy had ran out of money and what now? The monthly payments of the shipyard were not settled by the initial investment money and that is a sign from the all mighty that the venture would be going under anytime soon. Calling 670 corruption line, mayday, mayday. CNMI Legislature to the rescue 670.
Legislature (Rota Delegation) is the problem not the solution.
Buenas,
The travel time for such vessel would at least take 54 days more or less. Depending on the weather and where are they going to refuel the vessel? Thirty days is not a realistic assumption and one needs to re-evaluate such comment. Just saying.