The Office of the Minister for Transport, Works and Energy has been tasked by Cabinet to look into the conditions of shipping licensing system says Interim Minister, Manu Korovulavula. He revealed to the Department of Information that he has been tasked to look at and introduce a shipping route licensing system for ships in Fiji.
“Now my office is looking at the conditions and by the end of this month I will be issuing a policy on shipping licensing system. “Now I have tasked to look at and introduce the shipping route licensing system for ships in Fiji. Cabinet has now directed me to look at the viability of this operation whether it should be allowed or not,” he said.
Mr Korovulavula said the advantage of having a shipping routes system is that once a license is given to a ship or a shipping company the other ships cannot be allowed to encroach into that area or routes.
“ So it helps the license holder and gives it a secure investment and could help the shipping company get bank finance or refinancing. “ The bank will recognise the license as collateral. The current practice at the moment does not allow them any collateral because it is a one-year deal.”
Mr Korovulavula said this is not only at the local shipping service and they already had a meeting with the tourist operators in the west and the shipping operations for the tourist in the Yasawas and the Malolo and Mamanuca area which have a different kind of service.
“ Example their business is to transfer people or guests from one island to another and these are tourists and some locals as well. “ Another one is big fishing game which they go out fishing and underwater diving and surfing. These other things and I am very happy to say their support is very good,” he said.
Mr Korovulavula said the island people rely heavily on the ships service on the island which was why Government was seriously considering it.
“Because of the importance of that service government is looking at very seriously at it and trying its best to implement a system, a method and look at financing as well if ways to improve the service to the people in the island.
“Year by year there is no guarantee that that will continue so that is another disadvantage. Now I am looking at the franchise area shipping area where improvements can be made and that is the stand of the government at the moment as far as the shipping services is concerned.”
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