Fiji’s New Ferry Faces Registration Hurdles: What’s Next?

The Maritime Safety and Authority of Fiji (MSAF) has announced that the new Fast Ferry, MV Captain Inoke, owned by Goundar Shipping Limited, has not yet undergone the necessary survey and approval process to be registered as a domestic vessel. Currently, it remains registered as a foreign vessel under a Mongolian flag, which is a significant hurdle for its operations.

The MV Captain Inoke arrived in Fiji early on Friday morning and was scheduled to dock at Suva Port later that day. MSAF’s chief executive officer, Joweli Cawaki, clarified that until the vessel is registered with MSAF, it cannot operate freely in Fijian waters. However, he indicated that the registration process is anticipated to begin next week, contingent on an application from Goundar Shipping Limited.

In response, George Goundar, managing director of Goundar Shipping, confirmed that while the ferry is registered as foreign, it is owned by a Fijian businessman. He stated that the decision to use a Mongolian flag was necessitated by political issues in Korea, where the vessel was previously docked. Goundar emphasized his commitment to operating within Fijian regulations and highlighted the substantial investment of over $7 million in the ferry. He expressed his determination to serve the Fijian people and urged an end to the divisive rhetoric from competing businesses.

As Goundar prepares to upgrade the ferry and perform maintenance over the next couple of months, the situation underscores the complexity of maritime regulations and the importance of local ownership in the industry. The challenges faced by Goundar Shipping may ultimately serve to enhance the dialogue around maritime safety and local business capabilities in Fiji.

Overall, while the current status of the MV Captain Inoke poses obstacles, it simultaneously offers an opportunity for improvements in the regulatory framework and a boost for domestic maritime services. Facilitating such developments promises to ensure better service and safety for commuters and cargo transport in the region.