“Sailing into the Future by Reviving Solomon Islands Shipbuilding Tradition”
Solomon Islands Launches Mission to Revive Traditional Shipbuilding

The Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) has launched a major initiative to revive and preserve the country’s traditional shipbuilding heritage through a technical mission to Langa-Langa Lagoon in Malaita Province from 24 May to 3 June 2026.
The mission marks the first implementation phase of SIMA’s project “Reviving Traditional Shipbuilding in Solomon Islands”, which seeks to preserve traditional maritime knowledge while ensuring locally built vessels can continue operating safely under modern maritime standards.
For generations, Solomon Islands master shipbuilders have constructed large wooden passenger and cargo vessels that served communities across Solomon Islands.
Unlike traditional canoes found elsewhere in the Pacific, Langa-Langa shipbuilders became known for constructing large timber vessels capable of carrying passengers and cargo across open seas, making this tradition unique in the Pacific region.
However, the traditional knowledge behind these vessels is increasingly at risk as elder shipbuilders age and modern ship construction practices replace traditional methods.
One of the key challenges is that many traditionally built vessels were constructed without formal drawings or technical stability calculations, making certification difficult despite years of successful operation.
To address this challenge, SIMA has engaged a naval architect and its own vessel inspectors to conduct vessel inspections, measurements, stability assessments and preparation of initial technical drawings and vessel information required for certification and registration.
The project is expected to contribute to:

• preservation of traditional maritime knowledge and heritage;
• improved maritime safety and certification of locally built vessels;
• development of technical and vocational opportunities for young Solomon Islanders; and
• long-term sustainability of traditional shipbuilding in Solomon Islands.

SIMA stated that the initiative demonstrates how traditional knowledge and modern maritime safety standards can work together to support a safe, resilient and culturally grounded maritime transport system for Solomon Islands.