St Helena : Trial Shipping Schedule
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Juanita Brock) 13.02.2004 (Article Archived on 27.02.2004)
The St. Helena Government has announced changes to the RMS shipping schedule.
Trial Shipping Schedule
On 12 January, the St Helena Government announced changes to the RMS Shipping Schedule. Shipping is an important matter for Saints as it provides the only form of physical access to St Helena, and is the Island’s lifeline.
The decision to change the shipping schedule was made after careful consideration, widespread consultation, and after holding two public meetings in 2003 when the High-Point Rendel team was on Island. The new shipping schedule will operate for a trial period of one year and, during this, as promised members of the public will be widely consulted for their views.
High-Point Rendel advised SHG that freight costs should come down on transhipped UK products, excluding vehicles; this will be tested through the trial period. Government Economist Adrian Green said “It should improve the economics of the service, now we will see how it works out in practice.”
A more regular service will provide greater chance for people to get to and from St Helena. It will also support St Helena to package the Island for tourism.
In speaking about flights from Walvis Bay, Adrian said that one cannot predict details of flights from Walvis Bay a year from now. However he said that if people travel to the UK via Walvis Bay it is hoped that they would be able to catch a flight out on the same day or the day after, hence reducing hotel costs. “This is a legitimate issue of public interest and at the direction of Executive Council, Officers are investigating the different alternatives that will be available and will ensure that this information is in the public domain as early as possible” said Adrian.
UK travellers will be able to journey by cargo ship to either Cape Town or Walvis Bay and catch the RMS from there, or they could fly to either of these destinations. They could also fly to Johannesburg, Windhoek or Cape Town and get a flight to Walvis Bay, thus providing more travel options than the present schedule.
The decision to change the shipping schedule was made by the St Helena Government. Ascension and Tristan were not involved in the process leading up to this. The main reason is because SHG has to meet the annual subsidy of £1.5m for the RMS. If the subsidy goes up other elements of the aid package take a hit; often it is our development aid that suffers. DFID does not give SHG any additional money. Both Islands have alternative forms of access as Ascension has an airport, and Tristan has alternative shipping arrangements and hardly uses the RMS. SHG found that St Helena’s situation was somewhat different, as the Island’s only form of access is the RMS St Helena. The decision needed to be made with St Helena’s best interest at heart. That said, Chief Secretary John Styles stated that it is certain that persons on the Falklands and Ascension will be able to get home to St Helena, even at Christmas. He said: “The needs of Saints are paramount and there will continue to be Ascension shuttles.”
The proposed changes supports the Islands’ Strategic Objective, Improved Access on which there has been detailed consultations over three years. It should also help towards the development of a sustainable and vibrant economy. While the RMS is not calling at the UK during the trial period, SHG still feels that St Helena will maintain links with the Mother Country as people will now be able to get to the UK more often. The restoration of British Citizenship and the right of abode that goes with it is the real umbilical cord with the UK.
If demand indicates that the ship should call at the UK, future schedules could have excursion trips.
Office of the Governor
The Castle
11 February 2004
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