Vanuatu Signs MOU with Maritime Administrations of Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea to Strengthen Technical Cooperation

The maritime sector plays a vital role in the sustainable development of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu—supporting economic growth, social well-being, and climate resilience. These countries face shared challenges, including rising demand for maritime transport, inter-island connectivity gaps, limited resources, and cross-border maritime issues.

To address these challenges, the four nations have agreed to strengthen maritime technical cooperation, building on existing Memoranda of Understanding between the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF), the National Maritime Safety Authority of Papua New Guinea (NMSA), the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA), and the Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority (VMSA).

These arrangements were endorsed at the Third Heads of Maritime Meeting held in the Solomon Islands in November 2024, where leaders called on development partners to support a new Sub-Regional Maritime Technical Cooperation Program.

Following the first Executive Committee meeting in February 2025, the Program was developed to enhance collaboration, improve maritime safety, and promote environmental sustainability. It aligns with national priorities and the Pacific One-Maritime Framework (POMF), with a focus on four key areas: maritime safety and security, emergency response capacity, energy efficiency in maritime transport, and sub-regional maritime governance and cooperation.