Maritime Travel Restrictions Outlined

The Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport, Disaster Management and Meteorological Services in consultation with relevant maritime stakeholders wish to recommend the following on all inter-island shipping movements.
1. SMALL CRAFTS AND YACHTS
For small crafts that intend to travel carrying important provisions between Viti Levu and closer islands – please call Maritime Surveillance Centre (MSC) on 3315380 and notify the centre on their travel intentions.
The following information must be conveyed:
- Name of Boat Captain;
- Name and Number of Crew (Max of 3);
- Cargo;
- Departure and Destination Point;
- MSAF Issued Boat Number; and
- Phone Contact.
For further clarifications and queries, please do not hesitate to contact Fiji Navy on 9904618 or 7356367.
2. RO-RO (roll-on roll-off) AND CONVENTIONAL VESSELS
For enquiries about any services provided by Ro-Ro and conventional vessels servicing the economical and uneconomical routes, please contact the Director of Transport – Faranisese Kinivuwai on email faranisese.kinivuwai@govnet.gov.fj or call on 9983245/ 3389717.
Furthermore, the following steps must be taken by all shipping and truck companies:
- Vessel operators are to allow trucks and drivers to embark.
- Vessel operators are to keep a register of details for all drivers
- All drivers are to wear Personal Protective Equipment at all times.
- Shipping operators are to discourage crew members from unnecessarily disembarking at ports and jetties and socialising at these points.
- For inter-island shipping, shipping operators and crew are to offload cargo and freight at a designated location on the jetty or port.
- Drivers can now move with their vehicles and deliver in outlying islands.
- Truckers and vessel operators are to ensure that proper screening takes place by filling in the necessary form.
- Members of the public collecting freight are to collect from this point, practising social distancing. They are not to board the vessel under any circumstances.
- All turaga ni koros to liaise with Itaukei Affairs for further information.
3. ALL FISHING-RELATED ACTIVITIES
Please note that fishing licence for subsistence and commercial purposes will be allowed during the curfew hours, as long as fishermen leave their home ports well-before curfew hours.
For any fishing-related activities and clarifications, please contact Ministry of Fisheries on 9966745 or on email mere.lakeba@govnet.gov.fj
Feedback: rosi.doviverata@fijisun.com.fj