A four-member Maritime Appeals Tribunal has been established to hear appeals from decisions made by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF).
The tribunal was set up under Section 62 of the Maritime Transport Act 2013, with the appointments of its members taking effect from January 26, 2026 for a three-year term.
The tribunal will provide mariners and stakeholders in the maritime industry with a formal avenue to challenge certain decisions made by MSAF.
Under Section 69 of the Act, appeals may be lodged on matters relating to the registration of ships, survey certification of vessels, and the certification of seafarers whose certificates have been suspended for more than six months or cancelled.
Appeals may also be made on other matters specifically provided for under the Maritime Transport Act or the Ship Registration Act 2013.
Individuals wishing to challenge a decision must submit a formal appeal letter to the Secretariat of the Maritime Appeals Tribunal at the Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, based at Nasilivata House in Samabula, Suva.
Authorities say appeal letters must include the name of the appellant, the relevant decision letter issued by MSAF, and a formal address for service where official correspondence related to the appeal can be sent.
These requirements will apply until the tribunal issues detailed procedural guidelines for lodging appeals.
The names of the Tribunal members has not been released.
