Page 31 - IB August 2024

Shipping and Ports

Continued from page 29

Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu are making notable
progress in enhancing their port infrastructure.
Tonga’s Queen Salote International Wharf (QSIW) is another
site of climate adaptation.
The port underwent a major upgrade to enhance resilience
against extreme weather and rising sea levels, with the
finalised work officially unveiled in July in Nuku’alofa.
The project included stronger sea walls, elevated wharfs,
and improved drainage systems.
Tonga’s Minister for Infrastructure, Sevenitini Toumo’ua,
emphasised the local benefits of the upgrade, stating: “The
economic importance of Tonga’s ports for local industry,
businesses, and everyday life cannot be understated.”
The improvement program, which began in 2020, received
a grant of US$45 million from the Asian Development
Fund, a contribution of US$20 million from the Australian Solar panels installed on a Carbon Neutral Facility
Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), and
US$8.5 million from the Government of Tonga, bringing the
total value to US$83.5 million. technologies has made it a target for cyberattacks.
Recognising this, Pacific leaders have taken steps to bolster
Regional cooperation key cybersecurity.
Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has also highlighted Fiji and Australia signed a MOU to establish regional
the need for regional cooperation in tackling climate-related cybersecurity standards and enhance cooperation under the
challenges in the maritime sector. ‘Vuvale Partnership’.
“Our islands are interconnected in their vulnerabilities, Bringing immediate effect to this MOU, Fiji Ports
and our response must reflect this reality,” he said during Corporation Limited and Australia also signed a grant
the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) on Port agreement on the development of a Lautoka Port Masterplan.
infrastructure and Services and Cybersecurity Cooperation at This will upgrade Lautoka port and enhance the
the end of April 2024. international and domestic port operations, to meet ongoing
“We must work together to bolster our maritime and changing customer needs.
infrastructure against the escalating threats posed by climate The MOU also outlines initiatives such as the Pacific
change. Only through collective action can we ensure the Cybersecurity Centre, which will serve as a hub for regional
safety and sustainability of our maritime operations.” cooperation, capacity building, and information sharing.
In Fiji, significant upgrades are underway at the Port of “Cybersecurity is not just about protecting data; it’s about
Suva to enhance resilience to extreme weather. protecting our way of life,” Rabuka said.
This includes strengthening sea walls, improving drainage “In today’s world, a cyberattack can be just as devastating
systems, and incorporating advanced monitoring technologies. as a natural disaster. We must be prepared.”
However, technical expertise poses a challenge. Australian Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional
“Limited local expertise in climate-resilient engineering is Development, and Local Government, Pat Conroy, reiterated
an issue,” notes Florence Nand, Manager - Planning & Strategy this message.
Implementation at Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd. “Cyber threats are evolving rapidly, and our maritime sector
“We are investing in training programs and collaborating must be prepared to face these challenges head-on,” Conroy
with international experts to bridge this gap.” said.
Regulatory hurdles and community engagement also He noted that Fiji and Australia would work in partnership
complicate efforts. to strengthen their response to cyber incidents, including
“Navigating regulatory requirements and ensuring through improving information sharing, upskilling Fiji’s
compliance with environmental standards can be complex,” workforce and enhancing governance arrangements.
she adds. Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd is meeting these challenges.
Nand states: “We are implementing state-of-the-art
Maritime cybersecurity: An emerging concern cybersecurity technologies to protect our maritime operations
Alongside physical upgrades, cybersecurity has become a from emerging threats.
critical focus. “This includes deploying advanced intrusion detection
The maritime sector’s increasing reliance on digital systems, conducting regular security audits, and training our

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