The issues surrounding a feeder service to the small island states of Nauru, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Wallis and Futuna have been discussed at various regional meetings over the last 18 months including the 2007 Forum Leaders meeting in Nadi, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations (CRGA) meeting in Noumea in November 2006 and at the Taiwan and their Pacific Allies meeting in Palau in August 2006. The issue was also raised at the Pacific Forum Line (PFL) Annual General Meeting held in Nadi in June 2005 where three of the lines shareholders Nauru, Kiribati and Tuvalu requested the line reanalyse the resumption of the feeder service which stopped in 1993. PFL undertook a feasibility study which was completed in December 2005. This study recommended that PFL not proceed with the introduction of a feeder service on the grounds that it was unlikely that the service would be financially viable.

SIS Ministers continue discussions over lunch

In response to the SIS issue, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in conjunction with SPC’s Regional Maritime Programme is conducting a study on small island states feeder services. The objective of this study is to investigate and recommend a course of action with regard to a feeder shipping service between Fiji, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Nauru and Wallis and Futuna, and any other suitable places in that region to the north of Fiji. The study is expected to be completed by mid to late 2007.