IMO opens first Pacific office in Suva to boost maritime capacity
Fiji hosts milestone maritime hub.
Thursday 07 August 2025 | 04:11
International Maritime Organization (IMO) secretary general Arsenio Dominguez with Transport Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau at the opening of the IMO’s first Pacific Regional Presence Office in Suva, August 7, 2025.
Photo: Rariqi Turner
A new era for maritime cooperation in the Pacific has begun with the opening of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) first Regional Presence Office (RPO) in Suva.
Commissioned today in Nabua, Suva, by IMO secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez, the office marks a major step towards strengthening maritime coordination, safety, and sustainability across the Pacific.
“For the Pacific, maritime transport is more than just trade, it’s a lifeline,” Mr Dominguez said.
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This office will strengthen cooperation, build capacity, and ensure the region’s voice is heard on the global maritime stage.
International Maritime Organization secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez
Why Suva?
The Suva office, hosted at the South Pacific Community’s (SPC) Lotus Building, is the first IMO presence of its kind in the Pacific. It will:
- Coordinate technical assistance across Pacific nations;
- Support maritime safety and training;
- Help implement international maritime standards; and
- Drive decarbonisation and sustainability efforts.
Mr Dominguez described the office as “a hub for efficiency, innovation and results,” emphasising the IMO’s long-term commitment to the region.
Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, said the opening was timely and strategic.
“With over 4000 vessels operating in Fiji alone, maritime transport is central to our economy and communities,” he said.
“This office will help us meet global obligations while addressing key challenges like decarbonisation and legislative reform.”
Pacific Community (SPC) deputy director-general Paula Vivili called the launch “a shared Pacific achievement,” and pledged ongoing support to align the office’s work with regional priorities, including the Pacific One Maritime Framework.
Background
The decision to establish a regional IMO office in Fiji follows years of advocacy by Pacific Island countries seeking stronger support for the region’s unique maritime challenges — from rising sea levels to the need for cleaner, more resilient shipping solutions.
The Suva-based RPO marks the first time the IMO has introduced a fully centralised technical cooperation model in the Pacific — a move seen as both symbolic and strategic.
“This office brings global standards closer to those most affected,” said Mr Dominguez.
