Palikir, Pohnpei – January 14, 2026 – His Excellency Wesley W. Simina, President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) received a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Data Collection Survey Team on a courtesy call at the President’s Office in Palikir on January 6, 2026.

The visit of the JICA Data Collection Survey Team follows a formal request made by the Government of the FSM to the Government of Japan for assistance in the provision of a new passenger and cargo vessel to replace the MV Caroline Voyager, which was personally conveyed by President Simina during the visit to the FSM by the President of JICA in June 2024 and Tenth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) held in July 2024.

The objective of the survey is to gather information about the current vessel situation and identify potential operational needs and technical specifications. The information gathered will support JICA’s project formulation process and inform potential future assistance for a passenger and cargo vessel that is well-suited to FSM’s operational needs and long-term sustainability.

During the courtesy call, President Simina welcomed the team and expressed his appreciation to the Government of Japan and the JICA for their prompt and positive response to the FSM’s request. The President noted that the dispatch of the Data Collection Survey Team reflects the strong and enduring partnership between FSM and Japan, as well as their shared commitment to practical and sustainable development cooperation.

President Simina underscored the critical importance of maritime transportation to the FSM, a geographically dispersed island nation that relies heavily on safe and reliable passenger and cargo vessels to connect states and communities, support economic activity, and ensure the delivery of essential goods and services. The President also highlighted the history of maritime cooperation with Japan, which started from the provision of the Micro-class cargo-passenger vessels, followed by the MV Caroline Voyager.

President Simina further emphasized that the Administration’s vision is to enhance accessibility and connectivity between the central main island state and the smaller neighboring atolls to better serve the people of the FSM.

“The President concluded by thanking the JICA Data Collection Survey Team for their commitment and reaffirmed the FSM Government’s full support for the survey process, while expressing confidence that the survey’s findings would lead to the tangible realization of a passenger vessel to serve the people of the Federated States of Micronesia.”

####

ed States of Micronesia.