As part of the 2025/26 Fiji Government Budget, new maritime safety and monitoring regulations are now in effect. All vessels operating in Fiji waters must now have their Automatic Identification System (AIS) activated at all times.

Published 13 hours ago, updated 12 hours ago

In the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service 2025 – 2026 National Budget Summary  Part 2  – Indirect Tax Measures (ii) states that “To strengthen maritime compliance, maritime vessels will be required to keep the AIS activated when in Fiji waters.”

According to information provided to Noonsite by Port Denarau Maina, compliance is mandatory for all vessels including superyachts, charter vessels, private boats and commercial craft.

All vessels must:

• Have a functioning AIS unit onboard
• Ensure AIS is continuously transmitting while in Fiji waters
• Be prepared to provide AIS data upon request by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) or border authorities

Non-compliance may lead to significant penalties, including fines or vessel detainment.

However, it is not clear what the start date is for compliance.

Funding Secured for Long Range Identification and Tracking System

In related news Fiji’s Director of Transport, Aseri Driu, said that funding had been secured from an international agency to implement a Long Range Identification and Tracking system, which will complement Fiji Ports’ existing AIS system.

Ms Drui made the announcement during a Bilateral Workshop on Port Technology between Japan and Fiji in late June 2025.

“This vital initiative by the Ministry of Transport aims to boost vessel tracking and traffic management, directly addressing loopholes that drug traffickers could exploit within Fiji waters,” she said.

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Noonsite would like to thank Port Denarau Marina for providing this information to  Noonsite.

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Related News:

• Fiji to Mandate AIS for All Ports (FBC News)
• Fiji Revenue and Customs Service 2025 – 2026 National Budget Summary

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Related Links

• Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji
• Fiji Revenue & Customs Service

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Noonsite has not independently verified this information.

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