Abandoned vessels pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems and navigation safety, prompting concerns from government officials regarding environmental and financial impacts. Acting Director of Transport Aseri Driu highlighted the urgent need to address the issue of derelict ships scattered throughout the country, which not only damage marine environments but also increase government expenses.
In response to this pressing problem, the Ministry of Transport has initiated a comprehensive two-phase derelict ship removal program. The first phase focuses on identifying and removing floating abandoned vessels through a collaborative effort led by the Joint Maritime Environment Committee. The second phase will involve assessing the locations and removal costs of partially and fully submerged wrecks.
Supporting this initiative, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific has provided assistance for conducting feasibility studies. Driu emphasized that a centralized database is necessary for housing relevant data collected by various transport agencies, which would enhance coordination and efficiency.
She also noted that high removal costs are a primary factor contributing to vessels being abandoned and acknowledged the exacerbating effect of a lack of marine insurance options. To address this gap, the Ministry is currently working on formulating a national marine insurance policy.
Efforts to remove derelict vessels align with broader goals to decarbonize the transport sector, reflecting Fiji’s commitment to Nationally Determined Contribution 3.0 and Vision 2050. Initiatives include developing a framework for low-carbon shipping and conducting energy efficiency reviews on government vessels, with twelve currently under assessment.
Additionally, the government has invested $3.7 million in a shipping franchise scheme to support vessels serving uneconomical routes, with operators contracted for 15 years required to transition their fleets towards lower-emission standards. A freight subsidy of $300,000 has also been allocated to facilitate the transport of building materials to outer maritime islands, addressing high freight costs through collaboration with the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Reforms are underway, including crafting a transport sector master plan and a decarbonization strategy for transportation, while a household travel survey will also take place this year with support from regional partners and the University of the South Pacific. Driu pointed out the need for a central planning database to effectively track emissions and infrastructure targets as work progresses on a proposed Transport Planning Act aimed at establishing a clear legal framework for the sector.
She warned that without urgent action, environmental damage and dependence on fuel sources are likely to escalate, a sentiment echoed during discussions held at the National Transport Infrastructure Consultation Forum. Through these collective efforts, there’s hope for a cleaner, safer, and more efficient maritime environment.
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