The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) is taking significant steps to bolster its compliance and enforcement strategies aimed at enhancing the safety of vessels, seafarers, and the marine environment. Acting CEO Iliesa Batisaresare underscored the critical role of effective regulations in protecting lives, promoting trade, and fostering resilience within Fiji’s maritime industry.
With Fiji’s economy heavily dependent on shipping for transportation and commerce, rigorous oversight is essential. Batisaresare explained that MSAF’s enforcement responsibilities include ensuring vessels adhere to environmental standards, as well as enhancing monitoring and response capabilities to minimize ecological damage during incidents. The Authority’s focus on improving data collection and analysis will facilitate informed policy development and contribute to climate-resilient maritime transport initiatives.
MSAF operates under the guiding principles of integrity, partnership, and community. Integrity builds trust and credibility, partnerships foster long-term collaboration for safety, and a community-centered focus emphasizes that maritime safety ultimately impacts people’s lives.
Functioning in accordance with the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji Act 2009, the Maritime Transport Act 2013, and the Ship Registration Act 2013, MSAF has ratified 26 out of 59 international maritime conventions, adapting them to fulfill global obligations while maintaining high standards for safety and environmental protection.
With 12 operational stations across the nation, MSAF conducts vessel surveys, port inspections, and vessel clearances, alongside overseeing the registration of vessels and their crews. The Authority also manages 99 lighthouses and light beacons, offers maritime training, and addresses oil spills and other types of marine pollution.
Batisaresare affirmed that these initiatives are crucial for ensuring a safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible maritime transport system. MSAF works in close collaboration with various stakeholders through memorandums of understanding, joint operations, and specialized working groups to standardize practices and share vital information.
Guided by six strategic pillars—maritime safety, trade facilitation, environmental protection, operational efficiency, workforce development, and financial and policy resilience—MSAF successfully completed nearly 60,000 vessel clearances last year while overseeing all navigational aids. The Authority is also focused on climate resilience, decarbonization, and developing maritime greenhouse gas inventories to support evidence-based planning and policies.
Emphasizing the need for stakeholder partnerships and community involvement, Batisaresare reiterated MSAF’s dedication to protecting lives, ensuring compliance, and upholding Fiji’s reputation within the international maritime community. This commitment promises a secure and sustainable maritime future for the region, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and proactive measures in navigating the challenges of the maritime environment.