HIS EXCELLENCY RATU EPELI NAILATIKAU

CF, LVO, OBE (Mil), OStJ, CSM, MSD

President of the Republic of Fiji

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ADDRESS AT THE OFFICIAL RENAMING OF THE CONTAINER VESSEL FROM ‘REEF NAURU' TO "MANA"

King's Wharf, SUVA Monday, 4th March, 2013 12.00 noon


The Director, Matson South Pacific Ltd, Mr. Jonathan Ogle
The Manager, Matson South Pacific Ltd, Mr. John MacLennan
The Managing Director, Campbell Shipping, Mr Ian Campbell
Ladies and gentlemen
Good day, ni sa bula vinaka.

It is indeed an honour and a pleasure to be invited to be chief guest in the renaming your container vessel from ‘Reef Nauru' to ‘Mana'.

I can clearly recall many years ago of the warm welcome that always greeted the regular arrival into the port of Suva of the Matson cruise liners, the mariposa and Monterey. They and many others brought in many tourists to our shores. So, it was sad to see the end of the visits especially as they had become part of the scenery on our beautiful Suva harbor.

But who would have thought that some 30 years later Matson lines would again grace our shores but now in the form of container vessels. This is indeed a welcome development which is greatly appreciated by us all.

Matson goes a long way back in the history of Fiji, having been in operation in the 1900s, most recently, as already mentioned, with the cruise ships Mariposa and Monterey, up to 1971.

I am reliably informed that Matson is now the leading carrier for the US mainland to Hawaii and Guam and offers the fastest weekly service from Shanghai to Long Beach, California, United States.

Matson operations continue to grow and the company is ably represented in Fiji by Campbell's shipping agency bringing imports from Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Fiji being centrally and strategically located in the pacific is an ideal hub for the transshipment of goods and is dependent on ships calling here on a regular basis to facilitate trade.

Fiji is indeed grateful to Matson for taking time out from their big Hawaii/US business to look further into the Pacific and in our direction.

Scheduling "Mana" to operate from Fiji, carrying exports to Wallis and Futuna, Funafuti (Tuvalu), Tarawa (Kiribati), Majuro (Marshal Islands), Nauru, Honiara (Solomon Islands), Santo and villa (Vanuatu) will undoubtedly contribute to the economy of Fiji. The rippling effects of these trips will be felt in the areas where pilots and tugs, and stevedore labour are hired, where fuels and supplies are purchased, where trucking services are engaged, and where fees are paid to the various statutory bodies.

These trips also afford Fiji a further opportunity to consider exporting its products and be part of the global trade. The list of benefits derived from this venture is virtually unlimited.

Over the years the shipping services have played an important role in Fiji's growing economy with the two main seaports of entry, in Suva and Lautoka.

Fiji being the hub of the pacific means that our ports have the role and responsibility of ensuring that the shipment of products and services are safe, efficient and with short turnaround times, so as to create a service reputation that is not only of benefit to fiji but also to the other countries of the region.

Your challenge, therefore, as a regional shipping company is to provide better service to the ever changing and expanding demands of the shipping world. I have no doubts that "Mana" will rise up to this challenge.

I am sure the involvement of an "all black" in the form of Michael Jones will add significant value and a competitive edge to the company.

With the dedication and the expansion that the company has shown over the years and your projections of over 50 vessel calls a year into Suva and Lautoka, I know that our own Fiji ports will again be welcoming and our officials quietly smiling with the expected increase in trade and revenue.

But more importantly, and you will contribute to their vision; quote: ‘to be the regional leader in providing world class port services'. Unquote

The word "Mana" has a lot of significance in the Pacific and I wish this vessel "Mana" and her crew many safe voyages throughout our region.

In conclusion, I wish to once again thank Matson lines for resuming calls into Fiji.

I assure you that you have our full support and we look forward to a bright future together.

Thank you, vinaka vakalevu, sukria, bahoot dhanyavaad.

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