GOVERNMENT is working on short-term solutions while reviewing the wider maritime sector as Goundar Shipping Ltd and Interlink Shipping face compliance and crew shortages that have disrupted services.
Minister for Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau said the disruptions stemmed from compliance requirements affecting vessels, as well as shortages of suitably qualified crew and technical personnel.
He said some vessels were required to undergo dry docking for health service and other compliance requirements.
“There have been issues regarding the compliance matters. For example, in terms of service, the need for ship to be dry docked for health service and other compliance issues,” he said.
Ro Filipe said the industry was also facing a shortage of appropriately skilled personnel to crew vessels, particularly in technical positions.
“This is another issue. And the second one is the crewing of our vessels, and the lack of appropriately skilled personnel to crew, and also crew not only for normal crew.
“But also technical areas on ships, which the shipping companies want us to facilitate and also ensure that it is done quickly.”
He said there were also compliance and legal matters involving the Ministry of Employment and Immigration that were being addressed.
Ro Filipe acknowledged there had been issues with the services provided by the companies but said the ministry was working closely with them to restore services.
“But the ministry is in close consultation with them, and we have looked at solutions in terms of providing those services by the end of the week to relieve the situation.”
He said the Government was also undertaking a broader review of the maritime transport sector to ensure similar disruptions could be avoided in the future.
“But in the meantime, we as a government are looking at the whole maritime industry, the transport, and also at the end of the day that the needs of our people are met.
“So we are seriously assessing various options so that we are not caught in the same situation in the future.”
Interlink Shipping announced that they have suspended their shipping services from today as they urgently need experienced seafarers from abroad, and safety cannot wait.
Minister: $2b push to power Ovalau green
TRANSPORT Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau says the Government is expanding renewable energy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels in outer islands such as Ovalau.
Ro Filipe said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to improve infrastructure and essential services in maritime communities, with the aim of replicating the 100 per cent renewable energy model achieved on Taveuni.
He said Ovalau remained dependent on fossil fuels for its energy needs, but Government was working with the Energy Fiji Ltd and development partners to change that.
“Energy is particularly important. Ovalau is dependent on fossil fuel,” he said.
Ro Filipe said a $2billion renewable energy programme supported by the World Bank was targeting islands that continue to rely on fossil fuels.
“So with EFL, a $2billion program with the World Bank for renewable energy, it is also targeting fossil fuel-dependent areas or islands, such as Ovalau.
“And Taveuni is a good example to be replicated, which is now 100 per cent renewable energy.” Ro Filipe said the renewable energy programme forms part of the Government’s wider long-term infrastructure planning, which includes water, roads and climate-resilient development.
He said Government was working with development partners and international financing institutions to support infrastructure projects and ensure the needs raised by communities were incorporated into future planning.
$291m boost for water supply – MP
THE Government has funding in place to upgrade water infrastructure in Ovalau, with projects to replace pipelines and improve reservoirs based on identified community priorities.
Minister for Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau made the comments after residents of Levuka raised concerns about water services during the Fiji Media Association’s fifth town hall.
In the 2026-27 National Budget, around $291million was allocated to the Water Authority of Fiji. Ro Filipe said plans were already in place to upgrade pipelines and reservoirs in parts of Ovalau, with projects
identified through community consultations.
“The infrastructure priorities were determined through needs assessments raised at the bose ni koro and bose ni tikina levels before being escalated to government agencies, including the Water Authority of
Fiji,” he said.
“While funding had been allocated, I know its never enough to address every need at once.”
He said the Government remained focused on progressing essential infrastructure, particularly water, energy, roads and bridges.
According to Ro Filipe, the Coalition Government had developed long-term strategic and operational plans over the past three years to guide infrastructure development.
He said these included the 2050 Water Plan, work on a National Road Strategic Plan with development partners, a rural water analysis undertaken with UNICEF, and energy studies being carried out in
collaboration with Energy Fiji Ltd on renewable energy.
“With all these clear strategic implementation plans, and of course, we are currently working with the financing, we will have a lot of outputs in the next four to ten years.”
