The marking system at Tonga's main port will be reviewed following a collision.
The new passenger ship, MV'Otuanga'ofa, hit a stationary vessel in Nuku'alofa's port while trying to dock.
Radio Tonga says the ship hit the MV Sitka twice before it managed to dock at the Queen Salote international wharf.
There are no report of injures among the 500 passengers onboard the Otuanga'ofa which arrived from Ha'apai an Vava'u.
The MV Sitka has been damaged, with an initial estimate putting the damage at more than 50,000 US dollars.
The shipping company's general manager, Sefo Nginingini, says the accident will have a knock-on effect on his staff as the boat won't be in operation and therefore they won't be paid.
The MV'Otuanga'ofa was bought to replace the ferry Ashika which sank in 2009, killing 74 people.