Overview 

Fiji’s location within the Pacific and middle-level economy have made it the main regional transit point for freight throughout the Pacific. As such, there is a solid flow of freight and shipping through the main port of Suva. A number of international companies have bases in Fiji to coordinate and manage international shipping movements throughout the Pacific and worldwide. 

Inter-island shipping in Fiji operates and performs the dominant part of inter-island freight and passenger movements between the islands within Fiji. Government and private companies operate scheduled roll on-roll off (RoRo) ferry services to service the main islands in the Fiji Group. In addition to this, there are private operators providing small-scale inter-island shipping services using landing craft and dumb barges. It is also common for tourist resorts to have dedicated barges on contract to supply provisions exclusively to resorts on islands. 

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List. 

International Shipping Services 

Fiji is well served by international shipping lines. Direct services operate to Australia/New Zealand, the United States, Southeast and North Asia and Europe. Lines calling in Fiji include major operators, such as Swire Shipping, Tasman Orient, Pacific Direct Line, Chief Container Line, Hamburg Sud, Greater Bali Hai, Matsons and Neptune Shipping. The latter, associated with Maersk, provides services within the region, to Asia and, by transhipment, to the United States and Europe. Pacific Forum Lines also offers a range of destinations within its sphere of operation. 

Export and import shipping services cater for general cargo—carried mostly in containers—as well as bulk cargo. Liner container services generally call at Suva, and some at Lautoka, while break bulk is handled at both Suva and Lautoka, mainly as imports. Liquid bulk cargoes are also handled at Suva and Lautoka, but the major volume is handled at the Vuda terminal near Nadi. Import bulk cargoes are mainly petroleum products, cement, and fertilizer. Export bulk and break bulk cargo is handled at Labasa/Malau and at Levuka. This mainly comprises high-volume dedicated cargo, including sugar and forestry products (wood chips) and, in the case of Levuka, seafood landed and processed at the port for export in dedicated refrigerated vessels. 

Domestic Shipping Services  

Domestic shipping comprises passenger and freight vessels ranging from pure passenger ferries to combined passenger and RoRo vessels, to small steel and even wooden vessels serving outer islands and smaller ports. The standard of these vessels is much lower than those in the international trades. For scheduled services, vessels on well-frequented routes are mainly of ro-ro configuration with sizeable passenger accommodation. On routes with major tourism support, fast aluminium catamarans are employed, but costs preclude their widespread use. On outer island routes — where the main freight task is transporting island residents and small volumes of cargo, construction materials, and consumables—vessels vary in configuration. They are usually small, displacement hull ships of steel construction, some converted from deep sea fishing vessels and some custom-built. Domestic shipping services on some routes are operated on a purely commercial basis, and routes between the islands of Viti Levu (main island) and Vanua Levu are subject to fierce competition. Several operators specialize in transport to and from resort islands. Commercial coastal and inter-island shipping services are provided by a few private sector operators. 

Many inter-island routes are not commercially viable and, in the past, services have been provided by the Government. Services to outer islands with significant resident populations are an essential part of the transport infrastructure in Fiji. Often, these islands have no air services, or air service is infrequent. Regular and reliable transport of both passengers and cargo is essential to the well-being of remote communities. 

Wishing to withdraw from direct involvement, the Government of Fiji developed a “franchise” shipping system, where services are provided by private sector operators under competitive tender. The Government contributes subsidies to offset the losses operators would incur as a result of providing services at non-commercial, set frequencies to outer islands. Franchise shipping services to the outer islands, thus, provide essential links for domestic freight and passengers. They also transport small export cargoes and a small but significant and growing tourist trade, particularly to the western island groups of the Mamanucas and Yasawas. 

The present franchise shipping services system is managed by the Fiji Shipping Corporation Limited (FSCL), established in 2004. Its aim is to transfer the delivery of shipping services to the private sector while retaining a degree of contestability in inter-island services. Contestability is ensured by a competitive tendering system. Services to remote areas are subsidized by the government through the scheme. The subsidy, or franchise rate, is derived from the calculated operational cost of a vessel on any particular route. At present, FSCL subsidizes 42% of shipping companies’ operational costs. The Government Shipping Services (GSS) is responsible for maintaining the maritime Navaids system in Fiji. 

Company Information 

Scheduled Ferries 

There are three main operators of RoRo Ferry’s between Fiji’s main islands. 

Government Shipping Services 

The GSS operates a reasonably modern fleet but almost exclusively for Government work. Charter rates are expensive and there is no incentive for them to do separate charter work because any revenue earned goes into the Government’s central account and not back to GSS. 

Goundar Shipping 

A locally owned private company servicing Suva-Savusavu and Taveuni. The Lomaiviti Princess is the only vessel operated by Goundar Shipping and is 93.50 meters in length and 17.0 meters in width and has a capacity of 900 passengers and 80 vehicles. The vessel is able to carry foot passengers as well as cars, truck campers, and commercial vehicles.  

Sealand/Patterson Brothers Shipping

Patterson Brothers Shipping Company Ltd is Fiji’s longest running inter-island ferry operation bridging the gap between Viti Levu (from Natovi), Vanua Levu (Nabouwalu) and Ovalau (Levuka) daily and providing trips to Koro. The integrated land and sea transportation service jointly provided by Patterson Brothers Shipping Co. Ltd and Buresala Transport Ltd connecting the main islands of Fiji via multi-modal transport system with Ro-Ro ferries and coach transfers. 

For more information on waterway company contact details, please see the following link: 4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List. 

 Passenger Carrying Capacity 

Travel Time Matrix 

Travel time in hours from main port to other major ports on ship travelling at 10 knots