PASSENGER SERVICES
Connecting You to the Islands of Kiribati
Kiribati National Shipping Line Ltd (KNSL) provides reliable inter-island passenger transportation services connecting Tarawa with communities throughout the outer islands of Kiribati.
Whether you are travelling to visit family and friends, returning home, travelling for work, attending an important event, or simply visiting another island, KNSL is committed to making your journey as safe, convenient and well-organized as possible.
Our passenger services are supported by our shore-based staff, island agents and vessel crews, who work together to assist passengers from the time they make their booking until they reach their destination.
Inter-Island Passenger Transportation
KNSL provides scheduled passenger services between Tarawa and selected outer islands, subject to published voyage schedules, vessel availability, weather conditions and operational requirements.
Our passenger vessels and suitable landing craft provide an important maritime connection between communities, helping people travel for family, employment, education, business, government services and other purposes.
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Passenger services may vary depending on the vessel assigned to a particular voyage and the islands included in the voyage schedule.
We encourage passengers to regularly check our latest voyage schedules and public notices before making travel arrangements.
Passenger Booking & Ticketing
Passengers are encouraged to make their bookings as early as possible, particularly for voyages where high passenger demand is expected.
Bookings can be made through the KNSL office or other authorized booking arrangements made available by KNSL.
When making a passenger booking, customers should provide accurate information, including:
Full passenger name
Valid National ID or Passport
Date of birth
Gender, where required for passenger registration
Island of departure
Destination
Contact information
Travel class, where applicable
Trip type, such as one-way or round trip
Details of accompanying children or infants
Parents or guardians travelling with children should bring the appropriate identification or birth certificate required for passenger registration.
Providing correct information is important because passenger details may be used for ticketing, passenger manifests and maritime safety requirements.
Passenger bookings can be made ONLINE or IN PERSON.
Passengers may visit the KNSL Office in Betio to complete their booking in person.
For passengers living in Kiritimati (Christmas Island) bookings and passenger enquiries can be made through the KNSL Linnix Office in Kiritimati.
If you are located outside Tarawa or Kiritimati (Christmas Island), you can conveniently make your passenger booking online through our website.
Simply select and click the BOOK NOW button displayed on our website and follow the instructions to submit your passenger booking details.
We encourage passengers to provide accurate and complete information when making an online booking to help ensure that their booking is processed correctly.
Passenger Fare Information
Passenger fares may vary according to the destination, passenger category, travel class and type of journey.
Depending on the applicable fare structure, passenger categories may include:
Infants
Infant fares apply to passengers aged 2 years and under, in accordance with KNSL’s defined infant age category.
Children
Child fares apply to passengers aged 3 to 12 years, in accordance with KNSL’s approved passenger fare structure.
Students
Passengers aged 13 to 17 years are eligible for student fares under KNSL’s approved passenger fare structure.
Adult
Adult fares apply to passengers aged 18 years and above, in accordance with KNSL’s approved passenger fare structure, travel class, and applicable booking requirements..
Passengers may also be able to select the available Travel class for a particular vessel or voyage, such as Deck or Saloon, where applicable.
Voyage Schedules & Travel Information
KNSL publishes voyage information to help passengers plan their journeys.
Voyage information may include:
Vessel name
Voyage number
Departure island
Destination islands
Scheduled departure date
Estimated departure time
Expected arrival information
Booking announcements
Changes or cancellations
Important passenger notices
Passengers should always check the latest voyage information before travelling to the departure point.
Shipping schedules may occasionally change because of weather, sea conditions, vessel operational requirements, cargo operations, port conditions, safety considerations or other circumstances beyond KNSL’s control.
KNSL will make reasonable efforts to communicate significant changes through its official communication channels.
Before You Travel
Passengers should prepare for their journey in advance.
Please ensure that your booking and ticket arrangements are completed before the booking deadline and that all required travel information is correct.
Passengers should bring:
Their passenger ticket or booking confirmation
A valid National ID or Passport
A Birth Certificate or other required documentation for children, where applicable
Personal medication required during the journey
Appropriate clothing and personal necessities
Any other documents requested by KNSL
Passengers are strongly encouraged to arrive at the port at least three (3) hours prior to the scheduled departure time to allow sufficient time for check-in, ticket verification, baggage handling, and boarding procedures.
Late arrival may result in passengers missing the voyage, particularly once passenger registration has closed or vessel departure procedures have commenced.
Passenger Check-In
Before boarding, passengers may be required to complete the KNSL check-in and passenger verification process.
During check-in, KNSL staff may verify:
Passenger name
Ticket or booking
Identification
Destination
Passenger category
Accompanying children
Baggage or other relevant travel information
Passengers should cooperate with KNSL staff and follow instructions to ensure an orderly and efficient boarding process.
Boarding & Disembarkation Assistance
Our vessel crews are available to provide reasonable assistance and guidance to passengers throughout the voyage.
Passengers can approach crew members for assistance with matters relating to:
Passenger areas
Boarding and disembarkation
Safety information
Onboard facilities
General voyage information
Assistance during an emergency
Passengers requiring additional assistance are encouraged to inform KNSL staff before boarding whenever possible.
Elderly Passengers & Passengers Requiring Assistance
KNSL recognizes that elderly passengers, passengers with reduced mobility, parents travelling with young children and other passengers may require additional assistance.
Where reasonably practicable, our staff and vessel crew will provide appropriate assistance during boarding, the voyage and disembarkation.
Passengers with particular accessibility or mobility requirements are encouraged to contact KNSL before travelling so that available arrangements can be discussed.
Travelling with Children
Families are welcome to travel on KNSL passenger services.
Parents and guardians are responsible for supervising their children throughout the journey, particularly during boarding, while moving around the vessel and during disembarkation.
Required identification or documentation for children should be presented during passenger registration or booking.
Passenger Baggage
Passengers may travel with reasonable personal baggage in accordance with applicable KNSL baggage requirements and vessel capacity.
Personal baggage should be properly packed, secured and clearly identifiable.
Large, heavy, commercial or oversized items may need to be registered separately as cargo.
Passengers should contact KNSL before travelling if they are uncertain whether an item can be accepted as normal passenger baggage.
Passenger Safety
The safety of our passengers, crew and vessels is an important part of every KNSL voyage.
Passengers are required to follow all safety instructions provided by the vessel’s Master and crew.
While onboard, passengers should remain within designated passenger areas, supervise children, take care when moving around the vessel and keep away from restricted operational areas.
Passengers must not interfere with lifesaving appliances, navigation equipment, machinery or other vessel equipment.
In the event of an emergency, passengers must immediately follow instructions provided by the Master and crew.
Group Passenger Travel
KNSL passenger services may also accommodate groups travelling together, subject to available passenger capacity.
These may include school groups, sports teams, government officers, church groups, community organizations, NGOs, company employees and family groups.
Groups planning to travel together are encouraged to contact KNSL early so that passenger arrangements can be coordinated before the voyage.
Our Commitment to Our Passengers
At KNSL, we understand that inter-island passenger transport is more than simply travelling from one destination to another. It connects families, communities, workplaces and opportunities throughout Kiribati.
We are committed to providing passenger services that place emphasis on:
Safety — maintaining safe passenger operations and encouraging compliance with maritime safety requirements.
Connectivity — helping connect Tarawa with communities throughout the outer islands.
Reliability — working to provide dependable inter-island passenger transportation.
Customer Service — assisting passengers with the information and support they need throughout their journey.
Community Service — supporting the movement of people and strengthening connections between the islands of Kiribati.
Book your journey early, check the latest voyage information and travel with KNSL across the islands of Kiribati.