THE cost of removing derelict or sunken vessels in Fiji waters has proved to be a challenge for the Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd (FPCL) as it works overtime in getting the right expertise to get the vessels out of the water.
“Its a costly and time consuming operation,” agreed FPCL chief executive officer Vajira Piyasena. “It cannot be done with some $100, 000 at a cost as some organisations have said.
“For example the cost of removal and salvaging large wrecks such as the MV Suilven is over $US20 million ($F41m) . However, we have removed number of derelicts within past three to four years including Tovuto near the Government Shipping Services at a cost in excess of $220,000 for this vessel alone.”
FPCL has since put out advertisements in the media calling for tenders to remove derelict vessels from Suva waters. Mr Piyasena said they would like to remove as many derelicts as possible subject to funding.
“Depending on the reasonable quotes provided, we will allocate funds from a number of relevant budgets such as dredging budget and pollution prevention budget,” he said before adding that the tenders were open to overseas companies as well.
“Some of the challenges we face include unavailability of local expertise and equipment. For example, the owner of the fishing vessel Rising 26 (currently sinking) is trying to remove it for the last couple of months using a number of contractors after receiving the removal order from FPCL but could not do so. There are many overlaying issues that the owner has to deal with,” he said
