Port Mua-i-Walu 2 stakeholders met at Mua-i-Walu House last week to discuss operational matters and issues relating to developments to be carried out at Port Mua-i-Walu 2.

Fiji Ports Corporation Limited chief executive officer Vajira Piya­sena said the stakeholders’ meet­ing was held to discuss operation matters that were of importance to stakeholders and port users.

“Apart from the discussions of the overlay maintenance project at the port, discussions also centered on insurance cover for wreck removal with plans to have it mandatory for ship owners or operators at a later stage,” Mr Piyasena said.

“This insurance cover has already been implemented with locally owned fishing vessels basically to cater for the removal of any vessel wrecked in the harbour,” he said.

“It was also to review the peak sea­son procedures implemented in De­cember 2018 and how well it worked with ship operations.”

He said it was also an opportunity to remind stakeholders on the safe­ty of their operations.

“Ship owners were also reminded other operational matters such as the safety and modes of crew iden­tity when entering the wharf area,”

“They were reminded to always comply with procedures put in place by the Port Landlord in line with the Sea Ports Management Act.

“As port landlord, FPCL ensures that its stakeholders’ are consulted well before any operation is carried out or procedure implemented and that is why we have stakeholders’ meeting to address issues and look at ways to develop further into the future.”

The meeting is held on a quar­terly basis or when an urgent need arises.

“FPCL has noted that some vessel owners do not attend the stakehold­ers meeting hence it can be dif­ficult in trying to implement new improved procedures to enhance operations,”

“We are requesting all shipown­ers and operators to cooperate by attending stakeholder meetings regularly so that they are aware of operations procedures and new de­velopments.

“Overall however, it is good to note that many procedures under the Sea Port Management Act are being adhered to by ship opera­tors.”