Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Transportation and Communications

Transcription

1 Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Transportation and Communications A GLIMPSE OF RMI MARITIME Strengthening Inter Island Shipping and Logistic in the Pacific Islands Countries Suva, Fiji July 2013 Captain Josephius Tiobech Mr. Wally Milne

2 Geographical location The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is located between latitude 4 degree to 14 degree north and longitude 160 degree to 173 degree east, consisting of 29 atolls and 5 independent islands widely scattered. RMI has a wide exclusive economic zone (EZZ) of 2 million square kilometer. The Marshall Island is characterized by two chains the Ratak, or Sunrise, to the east, and the Ralik, or Sunset, to the west. The chains lie about 125 miles (200 kilometres) apart and extend some 800 miles northwest to southeast.

3 Continue. Population is a little more over 50,000 thousands people residing in RMI. Since Marshall Islands was under Japanese Administration. Later, passing through the trust territory under the United States of America. RMI became independent in 1986 as the Freely Associated States with the United States. It became a member of United Nations in September 17, 1991, and was accepted as the independent State.

4 BACKGROUND OF MARITIME IN RMI Maritime has always been a way of life for the Marshallese People. Connecting the whole Marshall Islands has been by means of sea transportation. Domestic Shipping services plays an indispensable role to keep the lifeline in their daily life of the Marshall Islands. The basic concept of shipping services is simply that the vessels load cargoes to the outer islands to be delivered to individual consignees. Furthermore, a vessel also carries a merchant onboard to sell the goods in the outer islands and on return trips, they would pick up the copra to bring back the main island. Today, services to the whole Marshall Islands continues to depend on field trips services provided by sea transportation to the outer islands. Needless to say, air services is another means of reaching out to the outer islands; however, it has its challenges, for instance, under developed air strips and frequent flight delays and cancellation due to broken parts and maintenance.

5 Continue.. Historically, Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOT&C) have been operating vessels of the public sea transportation in the RMI waters. In October 2006, the Marshall Islands Shipping Corporation (MISC) took over the operations of the public sea transportation services. Today, there are three (3) government operated passenger cargo vessels, which are less than 500 tonnage providing services to the outer islands. Of the three government vessels, there are about thirty (30) smaller vessels, privately owned, which provide services on a smaller scale for passenger and cargo to nearby atolls and islands.

6 Continue Under the MISC the three cargo passenger vessels provides services to the outer islands on a semi annual regular trip. The Government imposes that the MISC, at least, provides 4 trip services per year to 4 routes northern, southern, western, and central and eastern routes. International Shipping is provided thereto by shipping services by qualified limited shippers given EAC by Micronesian Shipping Commission to provide services to Micronesian sub region, which RMI is a part.

7 INTERNATION SHIPPING SERVICES TO RMI The RMI is serviced internationally by the following shipping lines: From the United States (west coast) Matson Navigation operate on 14 day service via Guam Marianas Express Line (MELL) operate a 14 day service via Honolulu From Asia Mell operates on a 14 day service direct from all major ports in Asia, Kyowa, NYK, FSM line operate on a monthly service from Asia utilizing one vessel. From the South Pacific Matson operates on a 25 day service with one vessel Pacific Direct Line/Swire operate a monthly service with one vessel

8 ANNUAL CARGO THROUGHPUT Total TEU TEU or 47% for US 846 TEU 39% for Asia 271 TEU or 16% from the South Australia, New Zealand and Fiji VESSEL TRAFFIC (AVERAGE PER YEAR) International Cargo vessels 41 Fishing vessels 586 Reefer carries 151 Tankers 16

9 PORT INFRASTRUCTURES Two Docks in Majuro Delap Dock (International) LOA 309 Meters Dept 11.5 Meters Uliga Dock (Domestic) LOA 120 Meters Depth 7 Meters The international wharf is not equipped with shore or mobile crane which makes it necessary for vessels calling into the port to have the own gears.

10 FREIGHT RATES Average freight rate varies with the routes assigned ranges as follows. From US 20D USD $3,452 20R USD$ D USD R USD$8238 From Asia 20D USD $ R USD $ D USD $ R USD $5800 From South Pacific 20D USD$ R US $ D USD$ RUSD$9300

11 ENABLING LEGISLATIONS: Maritime Act of 1990 (as amended) Domestic Water Craft Act of 1992 and Regulations Marshall Islands Shipping Corporation Act 2004 Port Security Regulations 2004 Pilotage Shipping Regulations 2007 Government Ship Maintenance Act 2011 ISPS Code SOLAS

12 CHALLENGES: Domestic shipping services has always been a challenge for the Marshallese people and has been characterized by vast distance, poor and underdeveloped support infrastructure, limited formal trained and qualified maritime officers just to name a few. Limited vessels for services and are purchased secondhanded. Underdeveloped infrastructure for docking and loading/offloading of passenger cargo in the outer islands. Limited Formal Training for RMI Maritime Officers and Seafarers. Minimal Maintenance of Government Vessels. Due to rising cost of Fuel for field trip services, this causes financial challenges on operation of the shipping services. Bridging the gap between the domestic and international maritime acts to bring about better coordination in which they can better compliment each other.

13 Aging Ports Delap Uliga

14 Ebeye Port Field Trip Service

15 WAY FORWARD: Ongoing Review and enacting of amendments to the maritime legislations and regulations. Ongoing Training and capacity building for Maritime, Seafaring Officers, and Port Officers. Adoptions of Best Practice for ensuring safe, secure, reliable, and economical sea transportation services are provided for economic and sustainable development for RMI, especially the Pacific Island Nations. Enhance better understanding and collaboration between maritime institutions and agencies to enable ways to better address common issues and challenges in the Pacific Region.

16 Continue.. Two new Government Vessels from Government on Japan to compliment to three existing fleet are being built and possible delivery date to RMI will be at the end of Enactment and implementation of Government Maintenance Fund Act Once a month HF Radio Conference with Outer Islands boat operators on Maritime Safety Rules, Regulations and safety equipment tools for smaller crafts. Finding the best practice in maximizing and improving copra carrying capacity on the return field trip vessels from the outer islands to the Center

17 Ongoing Developments

18 International/Domestic Developments

19 That is an overview glimpse of the Maritime in the Marshall Islands Bula Vinaka! Thank you very much! Kommol tata!

20 Questions and Answers