The easing of COVID restrictions would provide more trade opportunities for Fiji Ports Terminal Limited ( FPTL).

Head of corporate services Salesh Kumar said lifting of containment borders helped achieve some level of normalcy at the Port.

“The easing of restrictions will provide more trade opportunities, immensely contributing towards normalising of supply chain and enhancing confidence in shipping liners to call our ports.

Further, opening of borders will increase and regularize the cargo/container volumes transitioning our ports,” said Mr Kumar.

To help FPTL retain container volume and vessel arrivals, Mr Kumar said Ports need to continuously improve operational efficiency.

He said doing so would help Ports accommodate vessels on arrival, and have facilities to meet ship requirements.

Container Volume
Last month, Mr Kumar said container volume was 14,845 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU).

“Some fluctuations were noted 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 and we envisage that easing of restrictions will facilitate its recovery,” he said.

Meanwhile three container vessels are expected to arrive this week at Port of Suva which includes Capitaine Magellan, Papuan Chief and Maersk Nadi.

Vessels expected at Port of Lautoka are Capitaine Wallis, Capitaine Magellan, Maersk Nadi, Kota Hapas, and Papuan Chief.

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