Port Mua-i-Walu 2 (formerly Narain Jetty) will undergo a deck overlay maintenance project starting tomorrow and is expected to be completed by May 10 this year.

This was confirmed by Fiji Ports Corporation Limited (FPCL) chief executive officer Vajira Piyasena yesterday.

He said the planned maintenance works were part of the discussions at the Port Mua-i-Walu 2 stakehold­ers’ meeting at Mua-i-Walu House last week.

Mr Piyasena said the project would be carried out at Port Mua-I-Walu 2 and they have made consul­tations with the port stakeholders to ensure that they were aware of the maintenance works before it was implemented.

“As the Port landlord, FPCL en­sures that its stakeholders are con­sulted well before any operation is carried out or procedure is imple­mented,” Mr Piyasena said.

“We have discussed with Port Mua-i-Walu 2 stakeholders about the project and we are sorting out the berthing arrangements to see how well we can utilise the limited berthing capacity during this main­tenance period,” he said.

He said vessel operators and own­ers were reminded on timely sub­missions of berthing applications and weekly schedules so proper prior planning can be carried out for vessel berthing arrangements.

“The project will be in two phases with the maintenance covering 42 meters from the south end of the wharf.

“Phase 1 is scheduled for February 21 (tomorrow) to March 31 and Phase 2 is expected to be from April 8 to May 10.

“Concerns were raised during the meeting on the alternate berthing arrangement during the mainte­nance period.

“However, they were advised on the use of other facilities to ac­commodate berthing as already planned and arranged by FPCL.

“This includes the Government Shipping Services (GSS) facility, the old shipyard and Princess Wharf.”