The Institute of Maritime Officers Guild (Fiji) believes that apprenticeship scheme for ship building should be reintroduced.
The institute’s general secretary Lopeti Radravu, who has worked in the industry since the 1960s said the knowledge and skills among younger generation are uncommon.
In an interview, Mr Radravu said the scarce knowledge and skills of ship building has resulted in shipping companies travelling overseas to purchase second-hand vessels.
“It’s expensive vessels and they have no choice but to purchase it because Fiji doesn’t build ships anymore,” he said.
“One of the big ships we built back in our time is the cruise ship known as the ‘Reef Endeavor’ which was 83 metres long and six-storey high.
“If Fiji had maintained the shipping industry which became unpopular in the year 2000, we could have been selling ships to other island countries, another big income for the country.”
Mr Radravu said they have met with government officials to discuss the matter.
