Advancing Sustainable Maritime Mobility Across the Pacific

Why Pacific Sea Transport Matters

For Pacific Island Countries and Territories, the ocean is not a barrier — it is the highway. Hundreds of island communities across Fiji and the wider Pacific depend entirely on sea transport for food, medicine, education, and economic connection to the outside world.

Yet today, most of that transport runs on expensive imported diesel, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, high freight costs, and unreliable services for the communities that can least afford disruption. Climate change is making conditions more unpredictable. Fuel price volatility puts island economies at risk.

SSTI exists to change this. We bring together industry, government, research institutions, and international partners to develop and advocate for marine transport solutions that are clean, affordable, and built for the Pacific.

What We Do

SSTI works across three interconnected areas:

Research and knowledge

We produce evidence-based research on maritime emissions, supply chain logistics, vessel design, and alternative propulsion technologies suited to Pacific conditions. Our work informs national transport strategies and international climate commitments.

Advocacy and policy

We engage with Fiji's government ministries, regional bodies including SPC and the Pacific Community, and international organisations including the IMO and UNDP to ensure Pacific Island perspectives shape global maritime sustainability policy.

We develop and support practical pilot projects: electric outboards for coastal communities, sail-assisted cargo vessels, improved jetty infrastructure, and sustainable rural supply chain models. We prove that sustainable maritime mobility is not just a vision — it works.

Demonstration and implementation