Pacific nations launch regional shipping body to modernise island fleets

Ministers from Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Naoero, the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu signed the charter at the inaugural PBSP Ministerial Council in Majuro. Palau and Tonga are also expected to join.      The partnership has been created to tackle long-standing challenges facing domestic shipping in the Pacific, where ageing vessels operate some of the world’s longest and most expensive island routes.     The PBSP will be headquartered in Majuro, with Marshall Islands transport minister Hilton Kendall elected as its inaugural chair.      “This is a historic moment for Pacific regional cooperation,” Kendall said.

“The signing of the PBSP Charter transforms a shared vision into a permanent institution that will help drive the transition to cleaner, more resilient and more affordable maritime transport across our region.”

The initiative builds on the climate leadership shown by Pacific states at the International Maritime Organization and seeks to apply similar ambition to domestic shipping networks.      Among its first priorities will be the development of a Green Climate Fund application to support a demonstration fleet of low-carbon, wind-propelled vessels, along with maritime maintenance facilities, training programmes and institutional capacity building.      “The charter provides a strong foundation for collaboration among Pacific nations and development partners as we work together to decarbonise shipping, strengthen maritime connectivity and deliver tangible benefits to our communities,” Kendall said.

The partnership will also build on projects such as the Juren Ae, a sailing cargo vessel developed for the Marshall Islands Shipping Corporation to serve remote inter-atoll communities.