The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) is set to remove 34 derelict vessels currently floating in Suva Harbour next month. According to Chief Executive Officer Joweli Cawaki, the vessels will be relocated to deeper waters for safe scrapping, as previous efforts in the shallow Draunibota Bay, Lami, proved ineffective.
In collaboration with a Chinese company based in Nausori, which has experience in removing abandoned ships, MSAF aims to commence the scrapping process officially on January 15. Additionally, discussions are ongoing with the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) to conduct a feasibility study regarding the sunken ships in Fiji. This study will involve a local company assessing costs and other critical factors.
Funding assistance is also being sought from the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), contingent upon the completion of the feasibility study. Until then, MSAF is cautiously experimenting with their current knowledge.
Cawaki has reached out to coastal landowners for support in clearing the derelict vessels, emphasizing the necessity of a deeper area to avoid disturbing marine life during the scrapping process.
This initiative represents a significant step toward enhancing the safety and cleanliness of Fiji’s waters, ultimately benefiting the marine ecosystem and coastal communities. The active involvement of local stakeholders and international collaborators highlights a collective effort toward sustainable environmental management.
Leave a comment