Fiji’s maritime authority has successfully offloaded all bunker fuel from a grounded cruise ship, taking a critical step toward containing any potential environmental threat in the surrounding waters. According to Ship & Bunker, the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) completed the fuel removal operation on Monday, announcing the outcome via social media the following day.
Fuel Removal Operation Completed
The vessel at the centre of the incident is the Fiji Princess, operated by Blue Lagoon Cruises, which ran aground at Monuriki Island in the Malolo Group. Ship & Bunker reports that approximately 23,000 litres of bunker fuel were successfully transferred off the ship during the operation, carried out with the aim of reducing the risk of a marine fuel spill.
Following the completion of the fuel transfer, a salvage support vessel departed the scene. However, as Ship & Bunker notes, oil spill response booms have been left in position around the grounded vessel as a precautionary measure while the situation continues to be monitored.
Crew Safety and Next Steps
All crew members aboard the Fiji Princess have been safely evacuated. According to Ship & Bunker, they were transferred to the sister vessel Cougar and subsequently brought to Port Denarau.
MSAF indicated that the next phase — physically recovering the grounded vessel — will only proceed once weather and sea conditions are deemed suitable. The authority stated it remains committed to prioritising both safety and environmental protection throughout the ongoing response.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
