The 13th Pacific Islands Maritime Association Meeting was opened in Nuku'alofa on Monday May 11 to discuss issues of Regional Maritime Cooperation and the challenges faced by the region, which largely depends on sea transport.

Tonga's Minister of Transport Hon Paul Karalus in his opening remarks at the Fa'onelua Centre said on Monday, May 11 that the Pacific region's dependence on sea transport to supply consumer goods, fuel and other necessities of the modern world is a big challenge.

"We have long distances between our island nations, there are small volumes of cargo and we face an increasingly regulated environment."

He encouraged the Pacific Maritime sector to work together through regional mechanisms such as the Pacific Islands Maritime Association (PacMA).

Global crisis

The Minister added everyone was aware that the global economic crisis has had an immediate effect on the worldwide shipping industry with over 10 percent of the world fleet of container ships now laid up. And the volatility within the shipping industry was having the effect of reduced shipping services, he said.

The Smaller Island States Ministers meeting on Wednesday, May 13 in Nuku'alofa he said would highlight the need to progress assistance to our smaller neighbours with solutions to pressing problems "problems of regular shipping services, subregional shipping agreements, a coordinated approach to donor partners and the use of regional expertise."

The meeting from May 11-12 is attended by over 16 Pacific Island countries to discuss issues of Regional Collaboration and Trade, Port issues, Training and Seafarers Employment, Smaller Island States Shipping and Women in Maritime.

It is organised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community in collaboration with Tonga's Ministry of Transport.

A Small Island State Minister of Transport and Maritime Meeting on May 13 followed by the Pacific Ministers of Maritime Meeting on Thursday, May 14 at the Fa'onelua Centre.