Fiji Ports wants removal of unused vessels

Fiji Ports Cooperation Limited wants to remove all the unused fishing vessels that have been docked at the Suva Harbour for quite some time.

Ports General Manager Coporate Jiu Daunivalu said plans are currently underway to clear the harbour because of the environmental impacts, however they can't do anything since most of the fishing vessels have been impounded by commercial banks for not paying their debt and the vessels belong to overseas owners.

Daunivalu said Ports also can not remove the vessels because the owners with the assistance of their shipping agents, still pay the water gate fees to Ports corporation Ltd.

Meanwhile, an Asian fishing vessel ran aground on the reef near the Suva Harbour passage on Monday, however they managed to refloat it.