Govt activates backup vessel to restore Taveuni shipping link

The Government has activated a contingency plan to prevent disruptions to one of Fiji’s key maritime links, with a replacement vessel deployed on the Natovi–Taveuni route.

Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau announced that LCT Saint Mary, operated by Venu Shipping Ltd, will begin servicing the route from midnight tonight, ensuring passengers, cargo and essential supplies continue moving between Vanua Levu and Taveuni.

The intervention comes as authorities work to protect a vital transport corridor relied upon by businesses, farmers, students and families.

Ro Filipe said the Government would not allow maritime communities to become isolated because of service disruptions.

“The Government remains committed to ensuring continuity in maritime services for our people. We understand that for many maritime communities, shipping services are not a luxury—they are a lifeline,” he said.

“Through these contingency measures, we are ensuring that passengers can travel, businesses can move goods and communities remain connected without interruption.”

The Minister said the deployment of LCT Saint Mary was part of a wider strategy to strengthen reliability across Fiji’s maritime transport network while maintaining opportunities for qualified shipping operators.

“Our priority is clear: safe, reliable and accessible shipping services for every Fijian. At the same time, we are committed to a fair and transparent system that allows eligible operators to participate and contribute to national connectivity,” he said.

The Ministry has advised passengers, cargo operators and truck drivers travelling from Suva to reroute through Natovi to access the Natovi–Taveuni service.

Government officials said the move reinforced its commitment to maintaining uninterrupted maritime transport services, particularly for island communities where shipping remains the main link for moving people, food supplies and commercial goods.

“No community should be left stranded because of service challenges. We will continue working closely with operators and stakeholders to ensure dependable maritime services are maintained across Fiji,” Ro Filipe said.

Venu Shipping Ltd also confirmed the deployment in a Facebook alert, announcing that LCT Saint Mary would service Taveuni for the first time.

“We are thrilled to announce that LCT St Mary will be servicing Taveuni for the very first time! Thank you for your continued support as we expand our services to better connect Fiji's islands. We can't wait to welcome passengers and cargo aboard,” the company said.

Passengers seeking bookings or further information can contact Venu Shipping Ltd on 708 1847 or 708 1823.