For Fiji to reopen its borders, it would give more confidence to shipping liners to call at Fiji’s ports.

While vessel calls to Suva and Lautoka Ports were unaffected by the pandemic, Fiji Ports Terminal Limited maintained safe operations.

Head of corporate services Salesh Kumar said opening the borders would help achieve some level of normalcy for trading.

“The vessel calls at the ports are consistent and we were and are able to adequately service all cargo/container vessels during this pandemic.

“We did not experience any vessels suspending its services to Fiji due to the pandemic.

“However, the Government’s plan to reopen could enhance trade opportunities, to some extent normalize the supply chain and could bestow more confidence in Shipping liners to call our ports,” said Mr Kumar.

Mr Kumar further added that in the wake of the pandemic, many governments across the globe have put in place safety measures and imposed certain restrictions.

Vessel Calls
He said while such measures ensured people’s safety, it had to some extent affected the trade and the supply chain

“Similarly, Fiji also had certain measures and restrictions put in place.”

“However, the vessel calls at the ports were consistent with some notable fluctuations in trade volumes, hence, opening of the border and achieving some level of normalcy would catalyze trade opportunities and normalize the functioning of the supply chain.,” said Mr Kumar.

Conatimer Volume
Last month, Suva Port saw 14 foreign vessels called into port which included cargo vessels, vehicle carriers.

Mr Kumar said this added some fluctuations in trade volumes.

“However, this is dependent on local consumption and economic activities.”

“Slowdown of economy due to impact of the pandemic and other factors are also affecting the cargo/container volumes,” he said.

He added that a total 14580 TEU of cargo/container were exchanged last month.

Mr Kumar maintains that vessel call at the ports is consistent during this pandemic without any vessels suspending its services to Fiji.

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