M/V Luta welcomed by public and private sector on Saipan

M/V Luta, a 150-foot long, 500-ton cargo ship that will serve the CNMI and Guam, arrived on Saipan for the first time yesterday. Members of the private and public sector were allowed to aboard the ship during the open house. (Frauleine Villanueva-Dizon)

Government officials and members of the private sector welcomed the M/V Luta at the Port of Saipan yesterday.

A short ceremony was held in honor of the ship’s arrival in her first trip from Rota to Saipan, which was said to take only four hours.

It was followed by an open house, which allowed members of the public to see the long-awaited ship that would soon carry cargo and passengers to the islands of the Commonwealth as well as to Guam.

In their speech, government officials took note of the opportunities that M/V Luta brings to the CNMI’s table and congratulated the owners of the ship as well as Rota residents on the arrival of M/V Luta.

“We have a vessel now that we can transport the heavy equipment to assist other projects or disaster, we can easily mobile this kind of equipment and not just equipment but also tools, materials,” Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said.

“This MV Luta, just imagine on the island of Rota, we have a family who dedicated their resources and their time, and now we have vessel that can service Rota, Saipan, Tinian, Guam, and also our Northern Islands. This is a great opportunity for all of us, tourism, private sector, our residents, now we can start literally thinking about settlement up north because it’s feasible, and it’s here,” he added.

Senate President Francisco M. Borja (Ind-Tinian) also congratulated the Mendiola family for finally coming with MV Luta to service the CNMI and its positive effect to the economy.

The Mendiolas, including Abelina Mendiola, are the owners of Luta Mermaid LLC, which owns M/V Luta.

“I guess by providing this infrastructure, it will give the people of the CNMI more opportunities to invest on Rota, Tinian, and elsewhere in the Commonwealth and this will also bring the prices of the commodities to a reasonable price,” Borja said.

“I’m looking at the Luta and I’m reminded by the saying, by geographical location, our remoteness, our challenge is always being divided by water. The MV Luta behind us breaks down that barrier, but opens the gateway to opportunities to Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and even Guam,” Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation floor leader Rep. Angel Demapan (R-Saipan) said.

He also recognized Lt. Gov. Victor Hocog for being instrumental in bringing M/V Luta to the Commonwealth.

“It took a while, but they worked tirelessly to make sure that it happens,” Demapan said.

Hocog, in his remarks, addressed the critics regarding M/V Luta.

“Many have been said and maybe none of you doubted, but substantial criticism has come upon me and the Rota delegation to see as a Rota delegate, what the island really needs to enhance the service to the people of Rota and to enhance the economic reliability of the Commonwealth,” Hocog said.

“To those people who did not believe that M/V Luta will not materialize, I ask you to come forward now and join the open house for your own eyes and your own satisfaction so that you would have something better to talk about,” he added.

Mendiola thanked the people for the opportunity to showcase M/V Luta to Saipan and thanked those who attended.

Aside from cabinet officials, directors of different boards, department heads, and leaders of businesses, some residents also took time to check out the ship.

“It is such a hard work and we’re just happy that we’re here,” Mendiola said.

M/V Luta will also visit Tinian this week after Saipan.