FPTL will buy machines to enhance port performance

Fiji Ports Terminal Limited (FPTL) is looking into the possibility to fully automate its container terminal operations.

This is in the company’s bid to be on par with standards of regional and even international ports.

FPTL manager Jokini Taoi said this development is essential for growth and productivity.

NEW EQUIPMENT

Mr Taoi revealed the company’s plan of purchasing new equipment to further boost productivity and efficiency.

“Moving forward, we want to fully automate our terminal operations and in order to achieve this, we will be purchasing new machines to enhance our port performance so we can be on par with other ports.”

Mr Taoi said these new equipment will improve the general terminal operational performance, which will then lead to achieving higher productivity.

A number of high tech equipment was bought in the past three years including two new mega stackers and six new yard tractors.

They are fully operational.

“Some of the old machines we are using have been here for the last 10 years, since the early Ports Terminal Limited days and it needs to be immediately replaced,” Mr Taoi said.

In the world trend of modern technology nowadays, he said port’s terminal operations required updated equipment.

“We are now able to experience growth with our productivity after these machines were purchased : from the norm of seven container moves per hour, using the ship’s crane, we are now achieving 10 to 12 container moves per hour,” he said.

EFFICIENT TRAFFIC  FLOW

Another development at the Port of Suva is the re-arrangement of their traffic flow.

Today, there is now more control at the facility’s gate, where the movement of cargo and stacking in the storage yard is closely being monitored.

“The movements and handling of cargo used to be very challenging for us in the past as it sometimes holds up time and effort in trying to get things done.

“With the purchase of other new machines, we will be expecting positive results and improve performance”.

“With consistency in our productivity we will be expecting bigger vessels with bigger volumes visiting our ports in the future,” Mr Taoi added.