Calls for tender are to be made in Tonga from today for the management contract for Tonga's new interim ferry, the Ajang Subuh.
The ship is expected to arrive from Malaysia in about 10 days.
According to the news website Matangi Tonga, the CEO for the Ministry of Public Enterprise, 'Inoke Vala, will let the tender run for one or two weeks before awarding the contract.
The successful bidder is expected to manage the Ajang Subuh for the remaining term of the ferry's operation, which is 10 to 12 months.
New Zealand and Australia will jointly fund the charter for 12 months, each paying nearly 1.8 million US dollars.
Internal transport has been disrupted since last August when the Princess Ashika sank with the loss of 74 lives.