Head of the Ship Owners Association,
Executive Chairman of the Maritime Safety Authority,
Commander of the Fiji Navy,
CEO Fiji Ports Corporation Limited,
CEO Fiji Maritime Academy,
Fellow Seafarers and Mariners,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bula vinaka, and a very good morning to you all.
It is indeed a great day, as we celebrate one of the most important days in the Maritime and Shipping Industry, World Seafarers Day. Today, marks the 10th anniversary of World Seafarers Day. And the theme of the celebration is “Seafarers are key workers”.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I wish to begin this day by sharing some international shipping facts
Ninety percent of the world’s commodities are carried by the international ships. Sea transportation is the most affordable means of transport for international import and export, it is also the safest and most environmentally friendly mode of transport. The shipping industry employs around 1.5 million people globally.
The industry faces a lot of communications challenge with around 33 percent of the ship crews in the world have no means of communication. Only 10 percent have any form of internet access.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Maritime shipping is very important in our part of the world. Sea transport is the lifeline of Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and communities. Sea transportation is responsible for moving a vast majority of people, goods and resources. Shipping is crucial for trade and economic development and impacts upon virtually every development initiative.
The Pacific Island region consists of over 7,500 islands and 22 island countries covering an area spanning over 30 million square kilometer across the Pacific Ocean.
The people of the Pacific have a history of early long-distance seafaring unequaled anywhere in the world. Our ancient ancestors were the first ever to make use of the open sea for large scale migrations. The great migration voyages were made on a variety of vessels on single dugout canoes—some with outriggers, like the Fijian takia and the drua.
In 1879, there were five indigenous Fijians, who were in Calcutta and hired as topazes that made the journey to Fiji on the Leonidas. Bill, Soni, Tom, George and Jonny, as they were known in those days were originally from Galoa in Kadavu. According to USP professors, they were known as the Leonidas Fijians and tracing their movement, they were picked up by a mail steamer in the Galoa, Kadavu, and made their way to Sydney. From Sydney they went to America and further to India, returning to Fiji on the Leonidas on the 14 May 1879.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Fiji being an archipelagic state of more 300 islands scattered over an area of more than 18,000 square kilometers and Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers about a 1.3 million sq. km of the South Pacific Ocean. This places us as the convenient and natural hub of the Pacific, in terms of transportation.
Our re-export figures, is evidence of the fact, that a large majority of products go through Fijian ports to reach other parts of the region, especially the Pacific Island Countries.
This emphasises the important role seafarers play in moving people and products.
Domestically, we rely on inter-island shipping as our main transport, connecting outer islands to the main ports, towns and cities encouraging movement of people, economic activities and movement of cargo. Without seafarers, ships will not move.
This year we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of World Seafarers Day. In our part of the world, seafarers provide essential services as they ensure that people in our maritime islands have access to the necessities of life.
In this COVID-19 pandemic, seafarers are important in ensuring that food, medicine and medical supplies are distributed.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is the vision of the Fijian Government as embedded in the 5-Year and 10-Year National Development Plan to provide safe, efficient, reliable, and affordable shipping services to Fijians that use the service. Given our geographical dispersion, improving interisland sea transportation is essential for livelihood, trade and commerce.
The Fijian Government has improved inter island transportation in the maritime region, through investments in construction and upgrade of jetties, waiting sheds, slipways, navigational aids like lighthouses and beacon piles, and assistance for purchase of smaller boats for inter-island connectivity.
In order to encourage continued private sector investment, there has been incentives for private sector investments in new ships and equipment. Together with subsidies for services to uneconomical routes under the franchise scheme. Government will also continuously review the subsidy rate, passenger fares and freight charges in line with cost structures.
As part of the economic recovery strategies for maritime shipping, the Ministry together with the key stakeholders will implement the approved 15-year contract duration for the
This will incentivise further investment in inter-island shipping of, especially uneconomical routes. And encourage a re-fleeting programme of domestic shipping, using newer vessels and vessels that are environmentally friendly.
The above strategy is amongst a number of other that are planned for the growth of the shipping industry in Fiji. This in term will create employment and certainty for seafarer.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Fiji recognises seafarers as key workers and the Fijian Government through my Ministry will provide seafarers with the support, assistance and options open to all key workers during this pandemic. We also pay tribute to all seafarers who are making big sacrifices, staying away from home for months with the essential role of maintaining the flow of food, medicines and medical supplies.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Today we salute all seafarers with the respect and dignity you deserve so that you can continue to provide the vital services to keep our trade and the world trade moving.
We recognise the distinctive common components of the seafaring way of life arising from the dangers of the sea, living and working in an enclosed and inescapable ship space, separation from families, continuous travel, the ease of adjustment to multiethnic settings on board and in “sailor town” enclaves when ashore, and exposure to exotic diseases.
We thank you all for your contributions and urge you to continue to keep doing what you do best. Your sacrifices and services cannot go unnoticed any more. Today is your day and I invite all Fijians to join with me as we extend our warmest appreciation to all seafarers. Fiji salutes you for making that ultimate sacrifice of leaving the comforts of your homes to ensure that the career you chose would bring a change to the livelihood of all Fijians.
With these few words, I would like to wish all Fijian seafarers a “Happy Seafarers Day”
Thank you and Vinaka vakalevu.