Our maritime transport sector has increased: Tunidau
As a maritime nation and an archipelagic state with 110 inhabited islands out of 332, our maritime transport sector has increased since 2015.
This was shared by Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji chief executive officer and manager standards and conformance John Tunidau at the Parliament Speaker’s Debate at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Suva on Monday.
According to him, there are currently a total of 2162 vessels that have been registered.
He added that 1906 of the vessels are less than 15 metres in length while 256 of them are more than 15 metres.
New ships have been purchased by major tourism shipping operators to service our tourism industry. There are also new ships being constructed abroad which will be delivered and registered in Fiji in which these ships contain new technologies that will ensure greenhouse gas emissions are minimised. He said Government is undertaking consultations with all relevant stakeholders to determine soft and hard measures that can be put in place to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the transport system.
This is ensure our national contributions to the reduction of greenhouse gas emission. Under the Fiji Roads Authority jurisdiction, there are currently 47 jetties with 30 in the central/ eastern division, 4 in the western division and 13 in the northern division.
He added that there are plans for the renewal and maintenance of existing jetties, building of new jetties and construction of waiting sheds by the Fiji Roads Authority. “The Vuda Port Marina, Suva Yacht Club, Copra Shed Marina, Musket Cove Marina, Fantasy Marina, to name a few, are commercial safe hubs for yachts travelling to and around our country. “These marinas are equipped with cyclone safe facilities and basic necessities for the travelling public and for tourists visiting Fiji,” said Mr Tunidau.
Shipping Franchise Scheme Fiji
“Our country was the first in the Pacific to establish the Givernment Shipping Franchise Scheme which is run by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
“In this scheme, the Government subsidises the operations of private vessels to uneconomical routes. “We currently have nine confirmed uneconomical routes that are serviced by five private vessel operators,” Mr Tunidau said. “There are 14 trips per month where five of the routes (Yasayasa Moala, Upper Southern Lau, Northern Lau, Kadavu, Lomaiviti) are operated bi-monthly and 4 routes (Rotuma, Lower Southern Lau, Yasawa and North East Vanualevu) are operated on a monthly basis. “This Government initiative allows for connectivity between maritime islands to main cities and also connectivity between islands. “This encourages economic activities through the transportation of passengers and goods Fiji wide.”