There are approximately 80 abandoned vessels in the waters around Suva, as disclosed during a recent memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing event involving South Sea Towage Ltd (SSTL) and Pacific Marine Group in Suva. The partnership aims to address the removal of these derelict ships from Fiji’s port waters.
SSTL chairman Himmat Lodhia emphasized the scale of the challenge ahead, stating, “We are on a capacity-building track,” and acknowledged the government’s proactive approach to derelict vessel removal. He mentioned that additional MOUs are planned with the Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd and the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji to clarify the scope of work and funding for the initiative.
Lodhia indicated that the removal efforts would extend beyond Suva to other ports and harbors across the nation, highlighting the positive environmental and economic benefits of the project. “That will take away all the pollutants. That’s the direction that we are all moving,” he added.
Andrew Morris from Pacific Marine Group expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with SSTL, clarifying that the objective of the MOU is to work alongside Fijian companies and nationals rather than bringing in an external contractor. He noted the focus on upskilling and training local personnel, indicating that discussions leading to this partnership had been ongoing for some time.
In 2022, former attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum informed Parliament that estimates for removing all derelict ships in Suva, Lautoka, and Levuka harbors would amount to around $59 million. He noted that the costs for removing individual vessels could range from $50,000 to several million dollars.