Page 30 - IB June 2017

Shipping

The MV Mataliki, which loads cargo for Tokelau from The MV Na Mataisau while in service in Fiji waters The MV Tai Kabara being built on the island using
Samoa. Photo: File in the 1980s. Photo: File local material. Photo: File
n From PAGE 31 Colin Philps Junior, who designed the a profound difference: “Small investments
Some answers to this Pacific problem sails of the MV Na Mataisau as a young can have a global impact.”
have already been proven. sailmaker, said at the time he had no idea “Proven advances in technology show
A 2015 report by the International it would become revolutionary. major fuel/emissions savings are available
Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) il- His dad, Colin Philp Senior, who de- at attractive investment rates of return
lustrated, innovative designs for wind and signed its rig, was a huge advocate for sus- and a minimal investment in research and
solar-powered maritime freight transport tainable sea transport using wind power. development.”
already exist. Many were pioneered in Philp Junior, now the president of the Commitment to a network of green ship-
the 1980s before a glut of cheap oil hit Fiji Voyaging Society, said such ventures ping pilot projects would form the basis
markets. was the only way for inter-island freight- for research into a cleaner maritime sector
The Tai Kabara,built by the mataisau, ers to beat the costs involved in servicing across the developing world.
traditional boat builders of Kabara in Lau uneconomical routes. The Marshall Islands has joined a part-
was a 50-tonne ketch rigged vessel of He said the Pacific was blessed to have nership with the USP and committed to
classic carvel plank on frame construc- had a range of innovative sustainable leading, agreeing to host the Micronesia
tion with a full vesi keel, It was built on energy sea transport projects in the region Sustainable Transport Centre in Majuro,
the beach at Naikeleyaga Village between targeting transport needs at village and part of a plan to become the first low-
1984-87. The project was EU funded and island level, mainly for cargo and passen- carbon transport island nation. Marshalls
initiated as a result of the global oil crisis ger transport and artisanal or small-scale is the only Pacific country to set a transport
of the late 1970s. It had secondary bilge commercial fishing. emission reduction target under the Paris
keels or runners and cut away forefoot to “We have to tie sustainable development Agreement - 20 per cent by 2030. The new
allow for beach landing. Dakua planking, to our rich ocean going history. Island USP Centre, according to Dr Nuttal, will be
copper fastenings and cotton caulking governments need to take ownership of the the catalyst for delivering on that target as
were all brought from Suva, the vesi keel, fact that many solutions for our everyday an example for all other island states
stem, frames were cut on Kabara, as were issues in the Pacific can come from our own Dr Nuttall said investment in this agenda
the other scantlings from a variety of lo- experiences and the wisdom of our ances- could help deliver major fuel savings at
cal timbers. It operated successfully as tors. We don’t need to “import” solutions a fraction of the current investment in
an island-owned trading vessel through that don’t tie in to our cultural heritage.” electricity projects and pave the way for
the Lau group for the next two decades, “The Na Mataisau project was one that scaling by the private sector. The technol-
surviving two cyclones, before being either worked well and one that we can take a ogy is available, what is needed now is the
sunk or scuttled in Suva harbour just off cue from now.” policy and financing to move from theory
the yacht club breakwater where her hull There were designs of energy-efficient to practice.
can still be seen at low tide. freighters for inter- island work in Tonga “And importantly, GCF support for a
The vessel initially sailed without an and Tuvalu, and sail-assisted village or Pacific maritime project would tackle the
auxiliary engine, and research showed it island-scale catamarans for transport and twin threats to these stunning but vulner-
had worked well while it was in undisputed fishing across the region at favourable able islands: economically crippling fuel
island ownership. But the installation of a rates of investment. Plans were prepared dependency and climate change,” he said.
Lister diesel auxiliary saw ownership and for a fleet of sail-powered multi-hulls Driven primarily by fluctuating but esca-
management shift to the Lau Provincial to meet Tuvalu’s transport and fishing lating fuel costs, international agreements
Council with related disputes over the needs in 1981, wiping 60 per cent off its to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and
management of the vessel and the use of fuel costs. increasing awareness of the environmental
the profits arising from her operation. In 2015 UNCTAD, the principal organ of and public health risks associated with
The MV Na Mataisau, a 274-tonne the United Nations General Assembly deal- shipping, private international companies
cargo/ passenger ship, was another that ing with trade, investment, and develop- are searching for increased efficiency of
performed successfully until it sank in ment issues, asked USP to prepare and put fuel use.
1985. This Government Shipping Service up an online toolkit to assist island states The onus is now on our governments to
vessel was fitted with auxiliary sails to wanting to decarbonise shipping. do likewise where it matters most.
complement the existing diesel motor and For traditional banks these are seen as q ilaitia.turagabeci@gmail.com
proved savings of 30 per cent off fuel bills risky projects with limited payback, for - The writer was a volunteer crew on the Pa-
across all Fijian routes. The ship was only development banks they’re often too niche cific leg of the Uto NIi Yalo’s voyage in 2012 and
seven years old when it ran aground on for teams used to dealing in multi-million Okeanos on its Fiji cargo trial runs in 2013
January 18, 1985, in a developing cyclone. ventures. That’s where Dr Nuttall’s team NEXT: International shipping and
It eventually sank hours later, killing two. thinks the Green Climate Fund could make new innovative designs

30 Islands Business, May 2017