Micronesian Center for Sustainable Transport

🗞️ MEDIA RELEASE

Transport Ministers and senior government officials, from across the Pacific will convene in Majuro, Republic of Marshall Islands, for the inaugural Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership Ministerial Meeting from 09–11 June 2026. ⛴️🌏

The meeting marks a major milestone in advancing sustainable, resilient, and low-carbon shipping across the Pacific.

Two new hybrid electric ferries are expected to begin operating in Auckland's harbour this June.

These ferries are intended to primarily run off their electric system, but contain a diesel unit for back up in case of network power outages or failures with the electric operating system.

Each ferry came at the cost of NZ$20m.

Auckland's new hybrid electric ferry will be ready for commuters in June The first of two electric ferries was taken out for a test run on Wednesday.

Global conflict has exposed the risks of continued fossil fuel dependency for Pacific Island nations. These stress-events highlight the importance of resilient and robust renewable-energy technologies that are less reliant on global supply chains. Although electrification is urgently needed, recent research has shown that in the Pacific renewable energy projects generally have poor pe*******on and success rates (source: https://lnkd.in/eX8YKSfk)

Our research points to a country-led approach to decarbonising shipping as a highly effective measure for reducing the region's foreign fuel dependence. The Pacific relies entirely on shipping for the transport of essential goods and services and maintaining societal connectivity. The Pacific cannot face a scenario where the ships can't afford to go to sea, if that happens, the whole region grinds to a halt.

Shipping solutions are imperative to future development for the Pacific. In order to catalyse a full 2050 transition to a sustainable, resilient and decarbonised maritime transport sector, ten Pacific states are collaborating to develop the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership (PBSP). The PBSP is an ambitious country-driven initiative for a large-scale climate finance investment to catalyse a regional transition to sustainable, resilient, and low carbon shipping.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/22/pacific-islands-oil-crisis

From Fiji to French Polynesia, how Pacific islands are uniquely vulnerable to the oil crisis The reliance of island countries and territories on imported oil is expected to hit economic growth and increase inflation

Cutting-edge wind ship visits Suva Harbour!

This image shows the 'MV Pacific Sunstone' moored at Suva harbour.... this is a modern Medium Range (MR) tanker operated by Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS).

Built in 2026 at the New Times Shipbuilding yard, it is the company's first newbuild vessel to be equipped with three of bound4blue's '22-metre suction sails'.

The suction sails 'suck' air at high speeds over the wing surface for additional lift, ensuring they pack a punch relative to their size and deck-space requirements. Data shows they commonly generate 15%+ fuel savings on ships and would be a good fit for the tankers supplying the Pacific.

New Scientist magazine highlights the fuel saving and decarbonisation benefits of weather routing for wind propulsion!

The article features the work of Thorben Schwedt and his colleagues at the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Their mission was to explore what could be achieved if the route and speed were varied to optimise the wind boost, but without the journey taking too much longer.

Their research offered interesting results - that the energy consumption of ships taking the optimal routes would be 75 per cent lower. Often the optimal route for maximising fuel savings deviated greatly from the most direct path.

“The real advantage only comes into play if you are completely open with your route, sometimes taking really big detours that you couldn’t think work out,” says Schwedt. “With this approach, we have managed to get energy savings from 50 to 100 per cent.”

Wind-assisted cargo ships could more than halve shipping emissions If wind-assisted cargo ships chose routes based entirely on where the winds are better, their fuel use could be cut in half or even completely eliminated

Whilst MCST welcomes all investment into new ships for the Pacific, we are highly concerned that recent vessel donations, such as China's support of the MV Tuitui Moana for the Cook Islands, are further imbedding our people into a future of diesel-dependency.

This 43m inter island trading ship could have been wind-propelled & capable of saving 70% on emissions and diesel use. The Cook Islands has consistent trade winds and a proud sailing tradition.

We know sail propulsion is possible because the SV Juren Ae, a wind-propelled hybrid vessel belonging to the Marshall Islands Shipping Service, provides the proof. The Juren Ae is almost the exact same dimensions capabilities as this vessel, yet provides great cost savings, pollution control and energy sovereignty.

Donors, please take note - the Pacific needs to urgently decouple from fossil fuels to achieve truly sustainable and resilient outcomes.

Cook Islands PM Brown to travel to China for handover of new domestic vessel The multi-million-dollar, 43-metre multi-purpose ship MV Tuitui Moana was built by Guijiang Shipbuilding Co Ltd, and co-funded by the Cook Islands and Chinese governments.

🌎 JET News Podcast Episode 09 is now live!

🎙️ Talanoa with the Traveling Diplomat, hosted by John “Jay-J” Taukave, brings you another engaging conversation from the IMO space featuring Mr. Grant Drecala, representative of the Government of Tuvalu at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Join us as Mr. Drecala shares his inspiring journey — from his early upbringing and school years to representing Tuvalu on the international stage within the halls of the IMO.

Hear his story, experiences, and reflections on the path that led him to global maritime diplomacy.

🎧 Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/LPwxwZHGTNo?si=VxAJUOexkaQ1u1CG

Stay tuned for more inspiring conversations and stories from across the Pacific and beyond. 🌊✨

https://youtu.be/LPwxwZHGTNo?si=VxAJUOexkaQ1u1CG

JET News Podcast Episode 09 - Grant Drecala Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Indigenous maritime designs continue to serve Pacific communities in the modern era!

In the Marshall Islands, Waan Aelõñ in Majel (Canoes of the Marshall Islands - or WAM for short) continue to redevelop and refine their traditional Marshallese Vessels to solve today's transport challenges of fossil fuel dependency and rising material costs.

They recently launched a new 'proa' design. The Proa is perfectly suited to the lagoon environments of the remote Pacific and is famed for its immense advantages over other traditional designs including:

- High speed,

- Shallow draft &

- Material efficiency

This design is reported to sail well close to the wind - whilst also carrying a heavy load. It serves as powerful reminder that Pasifika traditional knowledge can continue to evolve and adapt to serve Pacific people today. As the globsal fuel crisis deepens and outer island communities look for more affordable and sustainable transportation options we applaud WAM for their innovation and expertise.

Today, the Micronesian Center for Sustainable Transport joins the global community in recognizing and celebrating women in maritime across the world and throughout the Pacific region.

Under the 2026 International Day for Women in Maritime theme, “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence,” we reaffirm the importance of turning commitments into meaningful action and creating inclusive pathways for women across the maritime sector, from leadership and policy to seafaring, transport, and community development.

Together, we celebrate the women shaping the future of maritime excellence across our oceans and communities.

Thank you to everyone who joined our recent webinar, “How to Deliver on IMO’s 2023 Strategy? Views on the Adoption of NZF.”

The session brought together distinguished panelists from different regions to share valuable perspectives on the adoption of NZF and the pathways toward achieving the ambitions of the IMO’s 2023 Strategy.

We sincerely appreciate our esteemed speakers and all participants for contributing to such a meaningful and insightful discussion.

🎥 Missed the session? Watch the full recording here:

https://youtu.be/8KKBVRbEa6Y?si=nGurkTrKXowahrti

Webinar: How to deliver on IMO's 2023 strategy? Views on the adoption of NZF. This webinar, held on 14 May 2026, explored perspectives from different regions on the adoption of NZF and the pathway toward delivering on the IMO’s 2023 St...