FHTA calls for urgent solution to Taveuni shipping and fuel crisis

The Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (FHTA) is urging the Government to act urgently to resolve Taveuni's shipping and fuel crisis, warning that prolonged disruptions are affecting not only tourism operators but households, farmers and essential services across the island.

With two of the island's three fuel stations recently running dry, FHTA said the crisis was now threatening businesses and communities that depend on reliable maritime services.

FHTA chief executive officer Fantasha Lockington said while many hotels and resorts remained at or near full occupancy, operators were increasingly struggling to secure fuel needed to maintain electricity generation, water supply, transport, guest services and emergency backup systems.

"Taveuni's tourism operators have shown remarkable resilience and continue to deliver the level of service visitors expect despite the challenges. However, fuel is not a luxury. It is fundamental to keeping businesses operating, staff employed and visitors safe."

"Our concern extends well beyond tourism. If established businesses with supply chains and purchasing power are struggling to secure fuel, the situation facing households, farmers, transport providers and essential services across the island is likely to be even more difficult."

The association acknowledged the role of the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) in ensuring vessels operated safely and within the law, saying safety standards should never be compromised.

However, it said regulation alone could not solve the problem.

"MSAF has a critical statutory role in protecting lives at sea, and we fully support that responsibility. But where regulatory decisions have wider consequences for national supply chains and maritime communities, there must also be equal urgency in working alongside Government and industry to identify practical solutions."

"The objective cannot simply be to stop vessels from operating. The objective must be maintaining safe, reliable maritime services that continue delivering fuel, food, freight and other essential supplies to the islands that depend on them."

FHTA said the disruption highlighted the importance of maritime transport as critical national infrastructure rather than simply a commercial service.

"Taveuni is one of Fiji's premier tourism destinations, but first and foremost it is home to thousands of Fijians. Reliable shipping supports hospitals, schools, businesses, agriculture, tourism and everyday life. When that supply chain breaks down, the impacts are felt across every sector."

The association called on the Government to bring together relevant agencies, regulators and shipping operators to develop immediate solutions that would restore confidence in maritime supply while maintaining appropriate safety standards.

"This is not about assigning blame. It is about recognising that Fiji cannot afford prolonged disruption to essential maritime services. Tourism can adapt to many challenges, but islands cannot operate indefinitely without reliable access to fuel and supplies."

FHTA said it stood ready to work with the Government and industry partners to find practical solutions that protected public safety while safeguarding the economic wellbeing of Fiji's maritime communities.