Port Vila News

Solomon Islands police said on Sunday they had retrieved five bodies in their search for 27 people who were swept off a ferry during a tropical cyclone that is now threatening the nearby South Pacific nation of Vanuatu as category four storm.The MV Taimareho set sail early on Friday in strong winds with 738 passengers including crew and the captain on board. Police said the missing are believed to have fallen off during heavy seas.Cyclone Harold - then a category two storm - crossed just to the south of Solomon Islands early on Friday.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the South Pacific Community, in collaboration with the Government of Vanuatu, are holding a Regional Maritime Security Workshop in Port Vila, Vanuatu (22-25 July). "Good maritime and port security is the enabler for maritime and economic development through maritime trade. It can be taken for granted when it works, but maintaining good security is essential," said the UN body.The workshop coincides with IMO Secretary General Kitack Lim's visit to Vanuatu, Fiji and Australia - the first time an IMO Secretary General visits the South Pacific.The regional workshop brings together Heads of Designated…

HMAS Huon capped off a South West Pacific deployment recently with the final of six port visits to Hobart, Tasmania, and her nearby namesake city of Huonville. Having already toured the remote Australian territories of Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, as well as Luganville and Port Vila, Vanuatu, and as far east as Nelson, New Zealand, Huon finally made her way to the southern capital for a four-day visit. Whilst in Hobart, Huon hosted an official reception with dignitaries from the two cities, including a ceremonial sunset with a volley of blank cartridges to wow the guests on the wharf. Commanding Officer, HMAS Huon, Lieutenant Commander Jason Mullen said the occasion couldn’t be more fitting for his last visit as Commanding Officer.

Inmarsat (ISAT.L) has made available five Fleet One units to a pilot initiative that aims to bring change to the way ships connecting island communities in the Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu communicate. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) endorsed capacity-building pilot program is the result of cooperation between the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) and the Government of Vanuatu under the leadership of the Ambassador of Vanuatu to the IMO. Waterborne…

An energy efficiency workshop for Pacific Island countries and territories has been held in Port Vila, Vanuatu (12-14 December). The event helped participants gain knowledge and tools to develop national strategies and clear policies to improve energy efficiency in maritime and port infrastructures, to use alternative and cleaner fuels and to increase awareness of energy-efficiency measures. International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Edmund Hughes delivered a presentation (via remote participation) on policy and strategy for energy efficiency in maritime transport. The workshop was delivered by the Pacific Community (SPC), in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and was funded by IMO.

In the wake of Tropical Cyclone Pam, which hit landfall on March 13, 2015, latest reports indicate that more than 65,000 people are now homeless and over 110,000 are left without safe drinking water in Vanuatu. Australia's Rivergate Marina and Shipyard, working in conjunction with YachtAid Global, is doing what they can to provide relief to the disaster affected country. YachtAid representatives and activist are on the ground in Vanuatu and report that “Rivergate’s support comes a critical time” for the community. The donation made by Rivergate has made a substantial impact already.

Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Parramatta has departed Port Vila, Vanuatu, after a successful visit to strengthen relationships and security cooperation with the Pacific Island nation, informs Australia's Department of Defence. During her four day stay, Parramatta’s crew of 190 combined training and community engagement before returning to maritime patrol duties in the region. Commanding Officer Commander Simon Cannell said there was great value in investing in the relationship between Australia and Vanuatu. “During our time in Port Vila, we took part in a joint training exercise with the Pacific Patrol Boat RVS Tukoro, operated by the Vanuatu Police Force Maritime Wing.

The ANZAC Class Frigate has left Noumea after spending three days strengthening relationships with the French Armed Forces New Caledonia (FANC) and promoting multilateral security cooperation. Commanding Officer of Parramatta, Commander Simon Cannell, said the visit provided professional insight to enhance operations and exercises within the region. “France is a valuable partner with Australia in the Pacific. We regularly participate in combined force training exercises for emergency and disaster relief and operations against illegal fishing,” Commander Cannell said. Following the visit, Parramatta will commence an Operation SOLANIA patrol, continuing the Australian Defence Force’s enduring role in the South-West Pacific.

According to reports, P and O Cruises is trying to find charter flights for hundreds of passengers on a storm-damaged cruise liner stranded in Vanuatu. The Pacific Star was battered by gale force winds and waves only hours after it left leaving Auckland. The Pacific Star ran into a wild storm that damaged the ship's bow, as well as some windows, doors and satellite equipment. Many of the 1,200 passengers on board were sea sick, some questioning why the cruise was not postponed. The ship canceled a scheduled visit to New Caledonia and made instead for Port Vila from where P and O Cruises is now trying to arrange return flights for its shaken holiday makers who will all receive refunds. Source: ABC News

The Republic of Vanuatu, with an established network of offices, deputy commissioners, special agents and inspectors in Asia – Tokyo, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand -- has expanded its presence in the People’s Republic of China with the recent establishment of an office in Shanghai. On May 1, 2007, Mr. C.C.Tan, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, Singapore and China and managing director of Richfield Marine Agencies (S) Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Richfield International Ltd, officially opened the Shanghai office of the Vanuatu Maritime Registry. This move is part…