It has been a long time coming, and Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka has wasted no time in announcing progress on plans to revitalize the shipbuilding industry in Fiji.
Rabuka says in its heyday, the Suva Shipyard, was a significant source of skills training and specialization for the nation, in particular, for welders, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, draftsmen and administrators.
He says the Government is considering the construction of two new undercover graving docks on the western side of Viti Levu.
This is to ensure 24-hour dry and cool conditions for workers constructing or repairing commercial, defence and luxury vessels up to 100 metres in length.
The Government is in discussions with Queensland based Sea Transport in the design of the shipyard and the possibility to supply the kits of their proven designs, enabling fast building and commissioning of vessels.
For new vessels, Government is considering a shipbuilding design of “Stern Landing Vessels.”
This shipbuilding design was developed for the region 30 years ago as a safer and more economic alternative to landing barges. This design is a possible solution to rebuilding the domestic fleet of cargo vessels, as well as vessels suitable for emergency response and defence.
The Government is also considering the construction of Medium Roro/passenger catamarans for coastal routes between mini ports. This is aimed to reduce truck traffic and the annual road repair allocation.
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