The Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, has initiated a comprehensive review of the vessel purchase procedures in Fiji. This decision follows concerns raised regarding the arrival of a new vessel in the country that was not surveyed by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF).
According to Ro Filipe, MSAF was made aware of the vessel’s arrival only at 4 PM on December 31, despite its departure from South Korea occurring on December 19. A planned trip by the MSAF team to South Korea for the usual technical evaluation and physical survey was canceled due to unexpected political unrest and logistical challenges in the region.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with current practices, the Minister emphasized the need for improvement within his team, stating that his role is more of a political leader rather than a manager who resolves operational issues. He highlighted that operators should ideally refrain from purchasing vessels without prior clearance from MSAF, advocating for better coordination throughout the clearance process before travel.
Moving forward, Ro Filipe confirmed that MSAF would conduct the necessary technical assessments and collaborate with the vessel owner to address any discrepancies prior to issuing a license. Furthermore, MSAF will engage with vessel owners and Fiji Ports to phase out unserviceable vessels, while reviewing their regulations and processes related to vessel acquisitions.
Ro Filipe acknowledged the complexities of the maritime shipping industry and expressed appreciation for the ongoing essential services provided by operators. He also indicated that a broader review of the transport sector, including maritime services, is on the horizon, with finalization of the Terms of Reference (ToR) currently underway.
This initiative represents a positive step towards enhancing maritime safety and operational standards in Fiji, ultimately benefiting the industry and promoting a more efficient system for vessel management.
In summary, Minister Tuisawau is taking crucial steps to enhance safety and oversight in Fiji’s maritime industry through a structured review of vessel purchasing processes, emphasizing coordination and accountability.
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