Vessels berthed at the Port Mua-I-Walu.
Government is committed to raise awareness and build our capacity to implement energy efficient measures in the Fiji maritime industry.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Paul Bayly, highlighted the importance of maritime energy efficiency during the First National Workshop on Energy Efficient Operations of Ships delivered by the Maritime Technology Co-operation Centre in the Pacific (MTCC-Pacific) last week.
Mr Bayly has since resigned from office, last Friday.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) and ship operators attended a workshop to address issues affecting domestic shipping in Fiji.
They discussed the need to contribute to national efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and with the view to operate ships more efficiently and implement energy efficient measures.
According to a release by the Pacific Community, the workshop provided the participants with an understanding of the latest developments at the international level; new technologies, tools and methods available to monitor and reduce fuel oil consumption from the operations of ships in Fiji, in order to contribute to national efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions.
MSAF was also part of the workshop.
“The Maritime industry especially ship owners and operators plays a key role in reducing and mitigating the impact of climate change and this workshop is an important step to enable the sector to utilise modern technology currently availed to help in this process,” said MSAF chief executive officer, John Tunidau.
SPC’s director of Geoscience, Energy and Maritime Division, Dr Andrew Jones reiterated the need for maritime energy efficiency stating that: “Reducing fuel oil consumption and adopting new maritime technologies will make an important contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Fiji, and meeting its Nationally Determined Contributions.”
Mr Jones said the maritime sector has a critical role to play in national efforts and MTCC-Pacific has been established to build the capacity of Pacific Islands countries and lead by example in this goal.
An estimated 2131 vessels are operated in Fiji waters each day. All of them use fossil fuels for their operations.
Global MTCC Network (GMN) project manager, Tamar Barabadze said that, “the establishment of MTCC-Pacific will assist the region by providing expert support to industry and Governments, acting as a bridge between key stakeholders and helping to drive forward international standards on energy efficiency for the shipping sector. MTCC-Pacific is now playing a key role in the region and as part of the wider Global MTCC network”.
Similar national workshops will be organised in other Pacific Islands Countries in 2018 to raise awareness and provide similar tools to reduce fuel oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
