The Solomon Islands has issued a moratorium on visiting United States navy vessels.

The US embassy in Canberra says the US had been issued with a notice of the moratorium on Monday.

“On August 29, the United States received formal notification from the Government of Solomon Islands regarding a moratorium on all naval visits, pending updates in protocol procedures,” the embassy said in a statement.

Reuters reported a spokesman for Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare earlier denied the reports of a moratorium.

It follows Honiara failing to respond to a request for a US Coast Guard ship to dock and refuel on Friday.

The ship diverted to Papua New Guinea.

But the US navy hospital ship Mercy docked in Honiara on Monday for a two-week mission.

“The US navy ship Mercy received diplomatic clearance prior to the moratorium being implemented. We will continue to closely monitor the situation,” the US embassy’s statement says.

Mr Sogavare is reportedly due to make a speech on Tuesday afternoon welcoming the ship.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese plans to host his Solomons counterpart in coming weeks as Australia seeks to firm up ties with the Pacific nation.

– AAP