The booming Papua New Guinean economy presents a lot of potential and benefits for our own economy.

But as highlighted by a major Fijian exporter to PNG recently, lack of direct shipping services to PNG has caused some concerns.

However, the Fiji Ship Owners Agency Association chairman, Craig Strong, said the current direct services from Fiji to PNG reflect the volumes that the service demands.

“As an association, we would love to see trade increase and therefore witness more of our member’s principals’ vessels on direct calls between Fiji and PNG.

“If there’s an increase in exports to PNG, then there will be an increase to the regulatory service because the service would meet the current demand and volume.

“Basically shipping is a business. But because the volume is at the mercy of vessels that call in from North Asia to Fiji then to Port Moresby then to Lae, it’s out of our control.

“We must remember we are not only competing amongst the Melanesian Spearhead Group countries but Asian countries as well.”

FMF Foods Limited Group chief executive, Ram Bajekal, had recently highlighted in an interview that they struggle with lack of direct services to markets like Papua New Guinea.

“A serious issue we struggle with is that there are no direct services to certain important and potential markets for example, to Papua New Guinea where shipping options are very sparse,” he said.

“Frequently changing ship arrival and departure dates also poses problems in managing our logistics.”

FMF Foods uses different service providers for different geographies, based on where they operate and where they are strong.

Feedback: maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj