CIGT wins tender for removal of barge

Cook Islands General Transport Ltd (CIGT) has been awarded the successful tender to remove the decommissioned Pa Ariki barge (pictured) in Aitutaki after receiving the Ports Authority Board approval.

The dilapidated barge was decommissioned in June 2021 to carry out repairs and maintenance, however, the cost estimates to carry the repairs were not financially feasible, said the Ports Authority chief executive officer, Nooroa (Bim) Tou.

Measuring 22 metres of steel, the Pa Ariki barge was first commissioned into service in 2010 for the Port of Aitutaki and was used to freight cargo from container ship cargo vessels anchored outside the reef, to shore at Arutanga harbour.

The tender for sale advertisement of the barge was on a “as is where is” basis that closed on June 24, 2022.