Fijian seafarers are being considered to work in international commercial vessels.

This has been made possible by Lautoka based international manning partner Alpha Pacific Navigation Limited (APNL).

General manager Saoloto Sosene, this week confirmed, that they have been facilitating a recruiting drive for all ranks from master to ordinary seafarers the past few weeks.

Mr Sosene said: “This has been an ongoing process, and we are still taking in applications and continuing our interview processes for those we find suitable.”

APNL is a seafarer recruitment and placement service based in Lautoka; it was established in 1992.

APNL has been recruiting seafarers from the Pacific Islands to work in the commercial ships since.

Following the changes in the Fiji Maritime Academy (FMA) in 2015, APNL started recruiting Fijian seafarers for the same opportunity.

Mr Sosene said they had a requirement from their principals to supply them with suitable Pacific Island seafarers including Fijians.

“Our recruitment is an ongoing process to meet our principals requirements,” he said.

“We hope to recruit as many as we can.”

While Mr Sosene did not disclose the exact number they are expected to recruit, he said all applicants must be duly qualified under the Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) and Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).

“Applicants must hold all the valid certificates before their application is considered.

“Applicants must also meet the rank experience for the position they are applying for.

“Once they have completed and have met our documentation process, they will undergo in-house safety training and briefings.

“Once they have completed these; they will then be lined up for placement.

“The process varies and depends on slots opening available to us”

Successful candidates will have a contract duration of four to six months, and their ratings are seven to nine months.

Depending on a vessel’s trade, successful applicants will work on vessels serving the Pacific, New Zealand, Australia and Asian countries and also the United States of America to the South American Coast as well as Asia to the African continent.

Some of the vessels the crew will be going into include the following that have been frequently calling into Fiji ports:

• Coral Chief;
• Papuan Chief;
• Kokopo Chief;
• Highland Chief;
• Szechuen; and
• New Guinea Chief.

APNL is the appointed Manning Partner for principals (ship-owners) serving this region.

“We are not recruiting for shipping agents like William and Goslings and Swire Shipping; they are shipping agents that mainly look after trade and cargo,” he said.

In light of COVID-19, Mr Sosene has confirmed that none of their seafarers are stranded overseas.

“We are grateful to the Fijian government for facilitating our requests for crew changes in Fijian ports, as well as those that are arriving by flight after they have completed their contracts; given the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought.

“These returning crew undergo strict quarantine protocols, and are released after meeting the Ministry of Health quarantine guidelines.”

Feedback: lusiana.tuimaisala@fijisun.com.fj