The Port of Lautoka success­fully hosted a trial test on the implementation of the Sea Container Hygiene System (SCHS) conducted by the Pacific Horticulture and Agricultural Market Access Program (PHAMA) last Friday.

The SCHS is a long- term strategy developed to manage biosecurity risks associated with sea contain­ers at the port of loading and the tri­al was attended by representatives from Fiji Ports Corporation Limited (FPCL), Fiji Ports Terminal Limited (FPTL), Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) including shipping agents and companies.

At the trial test, PHAMA’s SCHS advisor Jene Browne explained the economic benefits to the exporting country using SCHS.

Mr Browne said it would increase the revenue provided by the exports by reducing the cost of exporting containers.

FPTL Operation Coordinator Sevuloni Lavaisiga said based on Mr Browne’s training, the number of container inspections at the Port would increase if the SCHS is fully implemented.

“Apart from delivering direct cost savings to the exporter, it would re­sult in faster movement of contain­ers at the wharves which is advan­tage to our (FPTL) operation,” Mr Lavaisiga said.

PHAMA National Coordinator Losalini Leweniqila is thankful to Fiji Ports for facilitating the trial and is hopeful that SCHS would be implemented in the Port of Lautoka in the near future.

Meanwhile, SCHS aims to reduce biosecurity risk to Australia and New Zealand at the loading port by intro­ducing robust contaminant manage­ment systems, including the:

n implementation of effective con­tainer cleaning processes

n prevention of re-contamination of cleaned containers

n raising awareness of sea con­tainer biosecurity issues at offshore container processing facilities.