The French Polynesian government has put off a decision to give a licence for the high-speed ferry King Tamatoa amid a threat of a port strike.
Ship operators threatened to block the port of Papeete if the government approved the new venture.
The King Tamatoa plans to offer a new a service between Tahiti and the Leeward Islands.
Ahead of the government meeting, the existing shipping providers warned that they would stop operations and then proceed to close the port to all shipping.
Local television says a decision on the ferry has been deferred until September the 16th.
