Whispers
THERE’S apparently a thesis floating around in academia that could have a major effect on upcoming elections in a Pacific
Maritime
RNZAF patrols Vanuatu waters
THE Royal New Zealand Air Force has carried out maritime surveillance and reconnaissance patrols for Vanuatu and the Forum Fisheries
US announces more than $44 million for Pacific policing, maritime security
THE United States announced more than $USD44 million in new security programming for the Pacific at a police ministers’ conference in
Fiji, NZ use drones to spot illegal activities
FIJI and New Zealand have uncrewed ended a joint maritime operation using drones to identify illegal
Solomon Islands ferry passengers rescued after engine failure
THREE days after losing power and drifting at sea, the Solomon Islands ferry MV Awka with 73 passengers and crew arrived under tow
Vanuatu comes together to honor 45 lives lost at sea in recent weeks
VANUATU Prime Minister Jotham Napat has joined government ministers, traditional leaders, families, and friends of 32 people who
Pacific moves to boost yachting tourism
THE Pacific is looking to expand its yachting tourism industry while strengthening regulation, data collection and opportunities for
PACNEWS ONE, 14 SEPTEMBER 2026
In this bulletin: 1. VAN — Vanuatu Government takes over Maritime Safety Authority after MV Matui tragedy2. NZ — ‘Treasury can write what it likes’: Winston Peters defends Pacific Islands Forum
Pacific leaders urge investment in regional fisheries surveillance centre
PACIFIC governments and development partners must invest in a modern regional fisheries surveillance centre to counter changing illegal fishing practices and wider maritime security threats, Solomon Islands Foreign
Vanuatu takes Matthew and Hunter dispute to ICJ
VANUATU has lodged an application to the world’s highest court, the International Court of Justice, seeking recognition of its sovereignty over Umaenupne (Matthew) and Umaeneag (Hunter), two uninhabited volcanic
Fiji and Japan deepen cooperation on maritime and energy security
FIJI and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to stronger bilateral cooperation, with maritime security, energy resilience and public health among the key areas discussed during a high-level meeting in
Pacific maritime projects estimated at $3.7 billion over a decade
THE Pacific invested an estimated $USD3.7 billion across 115 maritime projects between 2016 and
Japan-Fiji Partnership for Environmental Protection
JAPAN has handed Fiji a vessel, trucks, and oil-response equipment valued at JPY100 million ($FJD1.6 million), in a move aimed at strengthening the Pacific nation’s ability to respond to major maritime pollution
‘Pacific Towing’s Solomon Islands Expansion’
Pacific Towing (PacTow) is taking further steps to strengthen its presence in Solomon Islands, with plans to expand the range of
‘Pacific Towing Marks 30 Years of the International Salvage Convention’
Pacific Towing (PacTow) is joining the international maritime community in marking the 30th anniversary of the International
Australia launches five-week hydrographic mission in PNG
AUSTRALIA will deploy its hydrographic survey ship, HMAS Leeuwin, to Papua New Guinea for a five-week mission to improve navigation safety and strengthen maritime cooperation.
‘Pacific Towing Tugs Respond to Two Emergencies n PNG and Solomon Islands’
Pacific Towing (PacTow) carried out two recent emergency towage operations involving vessels that suffered engine failure in Papua
Samoa advances maritime sovereignty through national workshop on maritime boundaries
The Government of Samoa, in collaboration with the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Attorney General’s Department of Australia has
NZ air force spots missing Cook Islands fisherman
A COOK Islands fisherman reported missing last Thursday has been spotted by the crew of Royal New Zealand Air
Patrol vessel to boost maritime security in New Caledonia
THE French Navy's patrol vessel, Jean-Tranape, will arrive in Nouméa today in a significant upgrade to the territory's
Absenteeism threatens New Caledonia’s Betico 3 Project
LOYALTY Islands President, Mathias Waneux, has urged New Caledonia’s congress to act urgently on the Betico 3 replacement project
Vanuatu moves to address seafarer shortage
VANUATU’S maritime authorities are launching a major push to address the critical shortage of qualified Ni-Vanuatu
Carving space at sea: Why Pacific maritime reform must move beyond talk
“WE need the Ministers to endorse it, so we can implement
