The Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, Hon. Ro
Filipe Tuisawau, has acknowledged recent public statements made by Goundar
Shipping Ltd (GSL) containing serious allegations concerning maritime regulatory
decisions.
Hon. Tuisawau wishes to reassure the public and all stakeholders in the maritime
industry that the Ministry treats such matters with the utmost seriousness.
Principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability remain central
to the operations of all statutory bodies under the Ministry’s oversight.
The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF), as a statutory regulator, is
mandated to act independently in making technical and safety-based decisions.
These include decisions on vessel registration, inspections, and certifications, all of
which are guided by established regulatory frameworks, international
standards, and the overarching goal of safeguarding maritime safety in Fiji.
The Minister further clarified that under the Ship Registration Act 2013, any
application to register a commercial vessel over 20 years old must be approved
by the Minister, but only following a recommendation from MSAF.
“As Minister, I act on technical recommendations. Any issues of non-compliance or
regulatory concern are matters between MSAF and the operator. I will not interfere in
regulatory processes but will ensure public safety is always the top priority,” said
Hon. Tuisawau.
Additionally, the Ministry confirms that the MSAF Act is currently under review to
better align its provisions with international maritime standards and compliance
mechanisms.
The Minister also took the opportunity to remind the public and all operators of their
right to appeal or lodge grievances through the appropriate legal or administrative
channels.
“In a democratic society, freedom of expression is a right—but with that right comes
the responsibility to act with integrity and respect due process. Wild allegations on
social media do a disservice to the regulatory process and risk undermining personal
and institutional reputations,” he added.
The Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport remains
committed to supporting a safe, efficient, and well-regulated maritime sector, and
to working collaboratively with all industry stakeholders through the appropriate
regulatory bodies.