/ 06/28/2026

Purpose & Objective

The Seventh SIMA Workshop with Ship Operators, held on 2 June 2026 in Honiara, brought together government, industry, financial institutions, insurers, seafarers and other maritime stakeholders to discuss maritime financing, investment and workforce development. The workshop continued the dialogue established through previous forums, providing a platform to address industry challenges, strengthen collaboration and identify pathways towards a safer, greener and more sustainable shipping sector. The event also included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between SIMA and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

Meeting Arrangements

Dates: 2 June 2026

Location:  Heritage Park Hotel, Honiara

Opening

The workshop was officially opened by SIMA Board Chair Mr. John Hugo Bugoro, who emphasized the need to invest in modern vessels, new technologies and the maritime workforce. He highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovation and strategic investment to strengthen the maritime sector, while reaffirming SIMA’s commitment to preserving traditional shipbuilding knowledge as an important cultural and practical asset for the Solomon Islands.

Presentations & Interactive Session

Maritime Investment & Financing

The first session featured presentations on maritime financing and investment by SIMA Director Mr. Thierry Nervale and on the draft STCW Maritime Order 2026 by Senior Legal Officer Mr. Joash Bella. Discussions highlighted the need for coordinated investment to address fleet renewal, workforce development and decarbonisation, while progressing maritime training reforms. Stakeholders identified key challenges including high lending rates, the absence of marine insurance, and the need for stronger support for traditional shipbuilding, the Solomon Islands Maritime College, regional shipping hubs, youth employment and investment in low-emission vessels and technologies.

Shipping Operations, Environmental Protection and Safety

The second session featured presentations on the development of the National Action Plan to Prevent Marine Litter, the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between SIMA and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, and ship stability and construction. Stakeholders welcomed the strengthened partnership between SIMA and MFMR, recognising its importance for fishing vessel safety, marine pollution prevention and sustainable fisheries management. Participants also reaffirmed their support for traditional shipbuilding and highlighted the importance of stability and load line assessments to improve vessel safety and support sound investment decisions.

Closing & Outcomes

The workshop concluded with closing remarks from SIMA acknowledging the successful outcomes achieved through the participation of all attendees as follows:

1. Recognised the contribution of domestic shipping operators and private maritime operators in Solomon Islands economy and inter-island connectivity.
2. Supported reviving traditional shipbuilding and further development of shipbuilding in Solomon Islands.
3. Requested government and development partners to support maritime training and mobility of seafarers, and training in naval architecture by supporting the Solomon Islands Maritime College.
4. Requested the government to consider the financial hardship experienced by ship operators with the fuel price increase and to provide dedicated support.
5. Noted the Small Craft Safety and Operation Guidelines currently being piloted in the Western Province before implementation across all provinces.
6. Recognised maritime financing and investment as a national development priority, and maritime workforce development and fleet replacement and as immediate investment priorities to improve inter-island connectivity and decarbonization; new technologies should be considered such as electric vessels, hydrid-vessel (wind assisted, alternative fuels, etc.).
7. Requested Government to consider coordinated maritime financing and investment mechanisms to support priorities taking into account the issues faced by ship operators to access financing from financial institutions and the need to engage with development partners, financial institutions and insurance companies.
8. Agreed to proceed with consultation for making of the SIMA (STCW Convention) Maritime Order by end of 2026 to comply with the STCW Convention.
9. Recalled the need to ensure protection and rights of passengers and seafarers as required by the Shipping Act 1998 and to consider a marine insurance regime covering operation of ships and carriage of passengers and seafarer.
10. Supported the development of the National Action Plan on Preventing Marine Litter for launch end of 2026.
11. Recognize that preventing marine litter requires action on both land-based and ship-sourced pollution.
12. Called on government agencies, development partners, communities, and maritime operators to work together to reduce marine litter and pollution.
13. Welcomed the SIMA-MFMR Memorandum of Understanding and commitments to safety and operation of fishing vessels in Solomon Islands waters and preventing marine litter from ships and fishing activities.
14. Recognised the importance of ship stability and loadline for safety of passenger and crew, and to ensure initial review of stability and loadline is conducted before purchasing a ship.
15. Requested the government to incorporate maritime development in the Solomon Islands government policies and budget.

 These were adopted as the outcomes of the Seventh SIMA Workshop with Ship Operators.

The detailed report of the Seventh SIMA Workshop with Ship Operators can be found here. Any complementary information can be requested to Brenda Oeta, Principal Officer Vessel Inspection at brenda.oeta@sima.gov.sb. The presentations can be downloaded in the event programme below by clicking on the hyperlinks.

Annex – Workshop Agenda

Time	Agenda Item		Presenters
Tuesday 2 June 2026
0930 – 1000	Registration & Coffee		SIMA
OPENING
Facilitator – Tony Justin, Officer Shipping Operations & Vessel Inspection
1000 – 1005	Administrative Matters		Trisha Thogole, Technical Officer Vessel Inspection
1005 – 1015	Welcome Remarks and Prayer		John Hugo Bugoro, SIMA Chair
SESSION 1 – Maritime Investment & Financing
1015 – 1115	1	Dialogue on Shipping Economics           Maritime Financing and Investment           Open discussion	Thierry Nervale, Director SIMA
1115 – 1215	2	Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (STCW Convention) Maritime Order 2026           Review of comments from consultation           Discussion	Joash Bella, Senior Legal Officer
1215 – 1330	Group Photo Lunch
SESSION 2 – Shipping Operations, Environmental Protection and Safety
1330 – 1430	3	Maritime & Fisheries Cooperation             National Action Plan on Preventing Marine Litter            Discussion            Signing of the MOU between MFMR and SIMA	Francis Pita, Senior Officer, Sustainable Shipping
1430 – 1530	4	Ship Safety standards           Basics of ship stability and construction           Discussion	George Kava, Naval Architect
1530 – 1600	5	Outcomes, Wrap Up & Closing	Francis Pita, Senior Officer, Sustainable Shipping