The Northern Marianas on Saturday finally welcomed the arrival of the MV Luta with the 45 metre craft docking in Rota.
The ship can carry a mixed load of cargo and passengers to a total weight of 500 tonnes.
The governor Ralph Torres flew to the southernmost island to welcome the boat.
The Luta, which cost US$1.6 million, is expected to carry passengers, agricultural goods, and other consumer items between the CNMI islands and Guam.