Emergency teams are working round the clock to contain an oil spill at Suva Harbour, triggered by leakage from the sunken MV Suilven.
The spill, first detected by a diver and later shared on social media, spurred swift action from maritime authorities.
With diesel leaking at a rate of up to 15 litres every 20 minutes, officials are racing to prevent further environmental damage.
The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF), in partnership with Dive Centre (Fiji) Ltd, is leading the containment efforts.
MSAF chief executive officer Joeli Cawaki confirmed the leak was traced to the entrance of Suva Harbour, near Davetalevu Passage — the site where the MV Suilven sank in November 2015.
Incident Overview
Shortly after 1pm on December 30, 2024, Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd (FPCL) dispatched a pollution patrol boat to investigate the spill.
Upon arrival, teams identified the oil leak emanating from the sunken vessel, located approximately 15 to 20 metres from the reef at a depth of 18 metres.
Initial estimates indicate that around 100 litres of diesel have already leaked into the harbour.
Immediate containment measures are underway to prevent the incident from escalating to a Tier 3 oil spill — the most severe classification that typically demands international aid and activation of national contingency plans.
“The oil is surfacing and bubbling up rapidly,” Mr Cawaki said.
“Divers spotted the spill and alerted us. The vessel sank during an accident in 2015 while transporting cargo from PAFCO in Levuka to Suva.”
Emergency coordination and containment efforts
An Emergency Coordination Committee (ECCM) has been established, comprising representatives from the Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, MSAF, the Fiji Navy, Water Police, Fiji Ports Company Ltd, and the Department of Environment.
“After reviewing the initial report, the committee recognised the urgency of blocking the leak and preventing further spread.”
Dive Centre divers were deployed immediately to locate and seal the source of the spill.
“By noon the following day (Tuesday, December 31, 2024), divers were already on site with the primary goal of stopping the leak temporarily. A full quotation for the removal of remaining oil from the vessel will follow,” Mr Cawaki said.
Meanwhile, containment booms are being deployed to isolate the affected area.
MSAF currently has 200 metres of boom available, which will be anchored at four points without obstructing navigation channels.
“The Fiji Navy is assisting with transportation and deployment of the booms,” he said.
Mariners operating near Suva Harbour have been issued a marine notice, warning them of ongoing containment operations.
Environmental monitoring and accountability
Water samples from the affected area have been collected and sent to the Water Authority of Fiji for testing.
“WAF has provided containers for random sampling to monitor the environmental impact.”
Legal proceedings are also in motion to hold Venu Shipping, the owners of MV Suilven, accountable for the spill.
“A court order was pursued in 2016, and a hearing is scheduled for January 2025,” he said.
Community reassurance
Mr Cawaki reassured communities in Navukavu, Lami, and surrounding areas that the situation is being closely monitored.
“There is no cause for alarm. Light oil and fuel tend to dissipate quickly, but if heavier oil is detected, we are prepared with sea-cleaning equipment and absorbents,” he said.
The public is encouraged to remain vigilant but calm as Water Police conduct routine security checks around the harbour.
“Our objective is to remove all remaining oil from the vessel as soon as possible,” he said.
Another ECCM meeting was held on January 1, to review progress and determine the next steps in the containment operation.
