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Vanuatu is poised to begin 2026 with an expansion of trade in goods and services with New Caledonia, promoting value-added production and improving market access for its agricultural and manufactured exports through a new trade vessel. The Ministry of Trade and Commerce (MOTC) confirmed yesterday that the Minister of Trade, Industry, Tourism and Vanuatu Business, Samson Samsen, has officially met with the Chairman and Director General of Compagnie Maritime des Îles (CMI), the regional shipping company preparing to launch the Karaka– a new trade vessel connecting New Caledonia and Vanuatu. The meeting focused on final preparations for the vessel’s January 2026 deployment, marking an important step in advancing regional trade logistics between the two economies. Strengthening the Vanuatu–New Caledonia Trade Corridor This development follows the official trade mission to New Caledonia held from 11–26 April 2025, led by the Director of the Vanuatu Bureau of Standards (VBOS), Atanas Pipite, under the Minister’s mandate. One of the key outcomes of that mission was the announcement of the Karaka service, established in partnership with the Government of New Caledonia and CMI. “The Karaka, a modern cargo vessel with a capacity of 1,900 tons, will improve Vanuatu’s logistics chain for exports and imports,” the MOTC said. “It will serve as a vital link for the shipment of kava, cocoa, copra, handicrafts, and construction materials, supporting Vanuatu’s reconstruction and industrial recovery.” The Government of the Republic of Vanuatu fully supports this initiative, viewing it as a major move toward regional trade facilitation and national development. “This vessel is not just a ship—it is a bridge of opportunity,” said Minister Samsen. “It will strengthen our economic partnerships, open new markets for our local producers, and accelerate our reconstruction efforts through faster, more reliable trade routes.” The MOTC anticipates growth in trade routes as the service develops and market demand increases. It expects stronger exchanges of goods, technical expertise, and services that will benefit both Vanuatu’s and New Caledonia’s private sectors once the service becomes operational. The MOTC will organise an official welcoming ceremony for the Karaka upon its arrival in January 2026, marking the start of a new chapter in regional connectivity.
