Cyclone disrupts Fiji ports, shipping

TROPICAL cyclone Vaianu is causing chaos in Fiji, with ports closed, roads flooded, flights cancelled and other services disrupted.

Fiji's Maritime Safety Authority ordered all passenger and cargo transport operations in the Western Division to cease effective 9am today [7 April] local time, while the port of Lautoka closed overnight and is expected to remain so until further notice.

“Ship masters are permitted to reposition vessels for safety purposes without the need for standard clearances, provided that no passengers or cargo are on board,” MSAF said, urging all maritime operators and seafarers to remain vigilant and prioritise safety at all times.

In a notice to customers Neptune Pacific Direct Line said: “The safety and wellbeing of our people is always our priority, and alongside our industry partners, we will continue to monitor the weather and review our operations to keep everyone safe.

“While Suva port remains 'open', we are aware of operational and productivity delays due to limited operations in place. There are likely to be further impacts to vessel movements, ports and depot operations in the coming days, firstly to Fiji and subsequently into New Zealand towards the weekend,” NPDL said. “We are continuing to monitor the weather closely and will keep you updated of schedule changes.”

Radio NZ reported that multiple flights into and out of Nadi were cancelled today and Fiji Airports said all Fiji Link domestic flights were cancelled, as were a number of international flights.

Flash flooding has closed many roads in Fiji’s Western District and the National Disaster Risk Management Office has advised those living in low-lying and flood-prone areas to move to evacuation centres.

Wind conditions are expected to ease during Wednesday but heavy rain will likely persist.

Meanwhile TC Maila, which formed in the Solomon Sea east of Papua New Guinea at the weekend, caused the cancellation of inter-island shipping services in the Solomon Islands. This afternoon Maila, with winds of up to 150km/h, was tracking past Alotau on the southern tip of PNG and projected to reach Far North Queensland, possibly at Category 3 strength this weekend.