The feasibility study to identify a potential new site for a new Suva port is nearing completion as the project is currently on stage 3.

The study is in four stages at which stage 3 looks at the selection of the preferred site of the new port.

The Ministry of Economy together with the Asian Development Bank and Fiji Ports Corporation Limited (FPCL), are undertaking the v feasibility study.

FPCL chief executive officer Vajira Piyasena explains that the feasibility study will existing maritime policy and regulatory framework to identify gaps and plans for improvement.

“The assessments will be conducted to find out the health of the current Suva Port infrastructure, its operations and existing resource utilisation.”

Mr Piyasena added that the consideration of the new port site was to include full or partial relocation of the activities currently performed at the existing port.

Aside from this, the new port side should be able to meet the growth in trade volumes and new commodities.

“FPCL aims to be the maritime gateway in the Pacific region through facilitating marine transport, trade, and commerce. Some key plans such as the 5-Year Strategic Plan and Green Port Master.”

“Plan have been developed by Fiji Ports to enable the organisation to steer itself to a pathway leading towards Smart, Green Gateway for Trade in the Pacific – this is a vision FPCL strives to achieve in the coming years,” Mr Piyasena said.

The current Suva Port consists of three wharves, Kings Wharf, Walu Bay Wharf and Princes Wharf.

The wharves were built in 1963 and have had numerous upgrades and rehabilitation works carried out throughout the years.

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