Fiji has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with hydrofoiling ferry developer Candela, envisioning a fleet of vessels to connect its islands.
The archipelago in the South Pacific is pursuing the eventual deployment of what Candela called a ’fleet’ of Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil vessels in Fiji.
“Under the MoU, an initial fleet of three to five Candela P-12 vessels are envisioned to operate between Nadi/Denarau and the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands, with provision for further expansion in subsequent phases,” a statement on the MoU said.
Green Pacific Shipping will act as the principal operator and financier, owning the vessels, while Fiji-based operator Sea Fiji will oversee in-country operations, source local crews and handle customer experience. Candela will supply the vessels, train crew and technicians, and support the build-up of local maintenance capability in Fiji.
The service is intended to operate under a local ferry brand, VukaWaqa and would replace conventional diesel transfer boats on the busy routes serving Fiji’s outer-island resorts in the Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups. The first vessels are scheduled to enter service in mid 2027, according to Candela.
News of the MoU coincided with a three-day meeting between several Pacific Island nations, including Fiji, that resulted in the countries signing a charter to establish a partnership to invest in maritime infrastructure throughout the region.
“Today in Majuro, seven Pacific Island countries signed the Charter establishing the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership (PBSP), creating a new international organisation dedicated to delivering a just, equitable, and climate-resilient transition for domestic shipping across the Pacific,” the Micronesian Center for Sustainable Transportation said in a LinkedIn post.
The charter was signed by Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Naoero (Nauru), the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, with Palau and Tonga expected to join.
“As a country-owned and Pacific-led initiative, the PBSP will help transform domestic shipping through investment in fit-for-purpose vessels, maritime infrastructure, workforce development, and innovative low-carbon technologies,” the group said.
The charter designates Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands, as the headquarters of the PBSP, with Minister Hilton T Kendall elected as the inaugural Chair of the Ministerial Council.
“This achievement reflects years of Pacific leadership in maritime decarbonisation and demonstrates what can be achieved when Pacific countries work together to design solutions for Pacific realities.”
