VISION: "Help develop the Nation through an efficient, cost-effective & safe shipping and navaids services"

Philosophy:

“Trust in the Lord with all our hearts, and lean not unto our own understanding.  In all our ways acknowledge God, and He will direct our paths”....Proverbs 3: 5 & 6.       

Core Functions:

 The three specific objectives and associated core functions includes but is not limited to the following:

 1.Shipping

i. To service government’s shipping needs through a small, safe, efficient and cost-effective fleet of specialised vessels.(These are vehicles to implement government programmes and improve services to the island and coastal communities such as transporting all levels of government officials including cargoes to promote health, education, infrastructure development & commercial activities, etc.)                                           

ii. Provide policy and shipping-related advice to Government and governmental agencies.

2.             Marine Navigational Aids -

        i. To install, operate and maintain Marine Navigational Aids e.g. Lighthouses, Beacons, Marker Buoys, etc. that is safe, efficient & cost-effective and in compliance with international maritime standards.         

        ii. Identify, facilitate & maintain maritime infrastructure, eg, Sea Routes, Mooring Buoys, Jetties, etc to facilitate sea transportation.

        iii. ProvideDredging services to keep jetties, passages & waterways operational.

        iv. Provideof Notices to Mariners/Fiji Coastal Navigational Warnings.                   

3.                Training and Localisation Programme -

         i. To facilitate professional and mandatory maritime training by providing ships for “onboard practical training” of FIT Students as required by the STCW 95 Convention.

        ii. The Department oversees an internationally based Apprenticeship Scheme approved by the Fiji National Training Council and the Fiji Marine Board. The maritime industry’s manpower needs are basically met by this Scheme and thus address government’s localisation programme. Some graduates are now employed internationally, thus bringing social and economic benefits to the nation. 

Maritime Infrastructure Development Projects (2003 –2005):

1.         Ship Refurbishment Programme – A repair and upgrade programme of vessels is being pursued to extend by at least 10 years the service life of these assets.

2.         Marine Navigational Aids Refurbishment Programme - A refurbishment programme of marine navigational aids aimed at preserving/restoring these national assets vital for domestic and international trade. These also help preserve the marine environment and our national maritime heritage.

3.         Sea Routes identification, marking & lighting – A programme of identifying new and marking/lighting existing sea routes to allow 24 hour operation and in places making the route shorter and safer. This includes the following proposed routes: Kaba Point–Lomaiviti; Natovi–Koro/Levuka; Ellington-Nabouwalu, Lautoka-Savusavu, Lautoka-Yasawa, etc.

4.         Mooring Buoys – A programme to place mooring buoys in island ports to facilitate movement of passengers and cargo to and from the islands. It attracts fish and will also reduce the damage caused to coral reefs by anchoring which imbalances the ecosystem causing other problems.

5.         Dredging – In conjunction with other ministries, carry out dredging programme of reef passages and channels for ease of sea travel, etc in the islands.

6. Maritime infrastructure - In conjunction with other ministries, identify and locate maritime infrastructure such as jetties, etc to facilitate sea transportation e,g, Waiyevo and Kaba Jetties.