Investigations into MV Southern Phoenix to be completed in the next 4 weeks - AG

Investigations into the capsizing of the container ship MV Southern Phoenix in the Suva Harbour will take another four weeks to complete.

This was confirmed by the Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum in parliament when questioned by SODELPA MP Salote Radrodro on the results of the investigation.

Sayed-Khaiyum says the initial stages of investigation have been completed where the investigators have been appointed and  summons have been issued to all stakeholders involved in the sinking of the vessel and then the investigation proper can begin.

He says the investigation includes collection of all ship documents and all relevant documents which has been completed.

When asked by SODELPA MP Mikaele Leawere if there were plans to conduct investigations into the environmental hazards caused by the sinking of the container ship, Sayed-Khaiyum says that MSAF and other stakeholders have successfully prevented a major spill from the ship and whatever oil was left on the ship was trapped and removed by MSAF.

Sayed-Khaiyum says the removal of the ship is a process on its own, the ship needs to be picked up from where it is and be taken to another position where it will be dumped where MSAF has allocated a site for dumping which is about 7.2 miles away from Suva and 5.2 miles away from the reef.

The Leader of Opposition Ro Teimumu Kepa had also raised some issues on the other sunken ships in the habour that is negatively affecting the marine resources.

Sayed-Khaiyum says there are a number of derelict ships in the harbour that have been neglected for decades. He says various tenders have been called, especially for the removal of the MV Southern Phoenix.

He says 15 other ships have been identified which need to be removed and the Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd is working with the Ministry of Environment in getting the expertise required to deal with this.