Despite being affected by the pandemic the maritime and shipping sector kept trade flowing in Fiji.
The Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, Faiyaz Koya, while delivering his speech for World Maritime Day, said seaports had remained open during the pandemic, making medicine, food and essential goods available.
“Hence, the spirit, momentum and the importance of this day is still very high and celebrated by everyone in this important industry,” he said.
“I want to pay special tribute to our unsung heroes — our seafarers. They have made personal sacrifices throughout the pandemic.
“Many were stuck on vessels for many months, whilst others could not return to their ships.”
Fiji has more than 5000 registered seafarers according to Mr Koya, who were working in the maritime and shipping industry.
“For the past five years, more than 600,000 tonnes of cargo have been transported to and from our maritime islands for the economical and uneconomical routes and this is only made possible with the passion and commitment of all our seafarers.
“In addition, our government shipping services continued providing support to the medical sector during the second wave of the pandemic.
“Our seafarers on board the MLC Veivueti on two separate occasions provided much needed support to FEMAT and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services during the outbreak in Lautoka and Kadavu.”
He said seafarers had left their homes for weeks on end to assist the frontliners.
“Similarly, our seafarers onboard the MV Cagivou assisted our frontliners in Yasawa and will continue to do so until cases in these maritime islands are managed.”
Mr Koya also highlighted the realities of the pandemic on the domestic shipping industry.
He said the reality of the situation was when seafarers in a vessel tested positive, it was expected that the vessel would be put in isolation because of the enclosed space and type of work that was undertaken.
“Our ports and jetties were imposed with strict protocols and at a point had to close and restrict movement.
“Vessel operators had to stop sail ships until isolation periods were completed.”
He added some vessels had to be isolation or quarantine facilities and no passengers could be moved to and from the maritime islands.
Maritime protocols were also said to be devised and in place to ensure there was no interaction between the maritime islanders and seafarers.
