Workers at the Pacific Fishing Company (PAFCO) in Levuka have been hard at work during the COVID period.

This is set to continue after the first batch of the 20x40ft containers with high premium tuna arrived in Levuka, last week.

These containers carried approximately 500MT of fish.

The first batch of containers were unloaded at the PAFCO ramp as weight on the old Levuka wharf have been restricted to 3 tonnes.

A total of 64 containers are expected to be offloaded at PAFCO Factory.

PAFCO Chairman, Ikbal Jannif said: “The next delivery by barge of another 20 containers will be within the next fortnight.

“Balance of 24×40 ft containers will be unpacked in Suva, the tuna transferred into 20 ft containers and taken to Levuka via Natovi in the usual manner by Venu Haulage.”

It is understood that the barge and tug from Cruz Holding had to be used to bring in the containers from Suva to overcome the weight restrictions imposed by Land Transport Authority (LTA) to avoid damage to the roads.

Mr Jannif said: “A crane and a truck with a 40ft trailer also had to be transported to facilitate unloading in Levuka.”

He added that the arrival of this stock was welcomed.

“It will ensure that the PAFCO plant will be able to continue normal operations,” Mr Jannif said.

“PAFCO employs approximately 600 workers, and any disruption to production would result in dire consequences for the shopkeepers on Ovalau.”

“All this was possible through great team effort.”

“We had the full support of both, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport (MCTTT) and the Sub Divisional Medical Officer (SDMO) and his team in Levuka” he added.

“Some very strict protocols had to be followed, but we considered these necessary under the present circumstances.

“Arrival of this stock is welcomed, and we thank Bumble Bee, our contracted supplier for tuna and strategic customer for cooked frozen loins, for making this possible.”

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