Company Information and History

The official company name is Pelena Express Limited.  The company was registered in Solomon Islands in April 2006. Pelena Express is owned by Solomon Islanders committed to living in the rural areas. Pelena Express has a licence from the Western Province Assembly to operate a passenger transport service. Initially, the Pelena Express vessel will only be operating in the Western Province.

At present there is only one vessel in the Pelena Express fleet.  However, it is planned to increase this number to develop an interconnected rural transportation network across the country. Access to funds is the limiting factor in the expansion of Pelena Express. Pelena Express plans to be more than a ferry service.  We plan that the vessel will be a "multi-function water transport vessel" to enable sustainable development in rural Solomon islands.

The Pelena Express business is totally privately funded by the owners taking out a private loan. No government or aid funding has contributed to this essential service. Unfortunately, none of the Solomon Islands financial institutions would lend money to the project. Fortunately, a private lender was found in Australia. This is a commercial arrangement where the loan must be repaid with interest.

Pelena Express and your business:- We are keen to assist you with your rural business venture.  Perhaps we can arrange a regular collection of your produce.  Perhaps your business struggles with providing reliable and affordable transport solutions, and outboards have been a problem to maintain and keep solely for business related use.  The Pelena Token system can allow your business to provide transport without the hassles of operating outboard motors and canoes.  Perhaps we can assist you with a business plan which incorporates using the Pelena Express vessel. Please contact Pelena Express if you wish to charter our boat for your business and for further details.

Pelena Express and your Aid Project:- The fantastic load carrying capacity of the Pelena Express boat, with its very low draught, allows the boat excellent access to many village beachfronts.  This eliminates the need for multi-transfers of cargo from multiple boats to multiple canoes.  Additionally, many aid projects suffer from the need to purchase a piece of machinery, such as an outboard motor.   The lack of regular transportation services in rural Solomon Islands, often results in the outboard motor and other capital items being used for private use.  The Pelena Token system can allow for clear budget forecasting and project planning, without the hassle of worrying about whether or not a piece of machinery will be available and operational for the project. Please contact Pelena Express if you wish to charter our boat for your project and for further details.

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Last updated:- 13 February 2007