Fiji’s maritime sector is under fire as safety fears and compliance breaches surge across its shipping industry.
From a passenger vessel running aground in remote Lau waters, to a high-speed ferry stuck at Suva Wharf over regulatory red flags, the spotlight is now firmly on the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF).
MSAF chief executive officer Joeli Cawaki has admitted the authority is years behind on investigating shipping incidents, blaming manpower shortages for the backlog.
Amid growing concerns, work has begun on sweeping legislative reforms, including tougher penalties, age limits on vessels, and stricter oversight.
As MSAF scrambles to enforce order at sea, critics say the chaos reflects deeper cracks in Fiji’s maritime safety net. The question remains: who’s really steering the ship?
