Sitiveni Halapua is behind plans for Tonga's remote northern islands, the Niuas, to get a new shipping service that they will own and control.
A trimaran, that can carry a few passengers and some cargo, is being launched by its builders in New Zealand this weekend.
Dr Halapua said because of the often small populations on remote islands all over the Pacific, services are often irregular and usually expensive.
He said he had been approached by leaders around the Pacific who are interested in his idea.
