The Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd (FPCL) states it will cost more than $F20.79 million ($US10m) to remove the sunken MV Suilven.
FPCL chief executive officer Vajira Piyasena said it was the duty of its owner, Venu Shipping Ltd, to remove the sunken vessel.
“If the owner is not removing it after the removal order issued by FPCL, then FPCL may remove it at the owner’s expense.
“Since we are talking about amounts in excess of $US10m, FPCL should first need to see if we can recover it from the owner.
“It will be removed only after that and note that there is ongoing legal action against the owner.”
The ship left Levuka for Suva on November 24. As it passed Naselai, it started experiencing engine problems.
She later sunk at the entrance of Suva Harbour.
The MV Suilven was transporting more than $5m worth of tuna loins, canned tuna, fish oil and other products in 25, 20-foot containers with a few trucks that belonged to PAFCO.
PAFCO has already revealed its loss will be recovered by insurance.
Meanwhile, this newspaper has also received information that Venu Shipping Ltd had requested the ship to be salvaged on the reef.
Radio transmission which was overheard by witnesses on the day of the sinking, said that Goundar had requested for the ship to rest on the reef while FPCL said it would be best to tow the ship in.
Boat master and mariner Grahame Southwick had earlier informed this newspaper that it was the best option if the ship was salvaged on the reef.
Mr Piyasena had said recent natural disasters had caused the ship to shift position but it does not pose any risk to ships when entering or exiting the harbour.
