By July 2025, 95 per cent of the $3.4million budget allocation for the 2024-2025 financial year had been utilised.
This enabled 156 franchise trips and the transportation of over 22,000 passengers and 6000 tonnes of essential cargo to maritime islands.
The Minister for Transport, Ro Filipe Tuisawau in his address in Parliament last month reaffirmed Government’s commitment to strengthening inter-island shipping services through the Government Shipping Franchise Scheme.
He said inter-island shipping was the lifeline for maritime communities, ensuring reliable, safe and affordable transport to Fijians living in uneconomical routes.
He said currently ten routes were covered under the scheme, serviced by both Government Shipping Services and private operators with support from a $3.4million budget in the 2024-2025 financial year.
The positive impact of the scheme the minister said was that it not only boosted passenger numbers by 49 per cent but also facilitated greater community participation in national events and supported government outreach initiatives.
Ro Filipe said the co-ordinated Rotuma trip in September 2024 brought together multiple ministries and agencies to deliver hospital upgrades, jetty maintenance and community awareness programs.
He said the scheme was also crucial in transporting building materials, food, medical supplies and commodities such as copra and seafood, help sustain livelihoods and strengthen economic and cultural exchange in outer islands.
Fijians have been encouraged to also take full advantage of the Shipping Franchise Scheme provided by government.
The scheme, according to the ministry plays a key role in promoting economic activity and improving connectivity for remote and maritime communities across the country.
