Plans are in place to purchase new equipment and container handling machineries to help manage operations at Suva Port.

The plan goes in line with Suva Port’s plans to fully digitalise and automate its container operations.

Head of corporate service Salesh Kumar said new equipment would help meet demands of shipping services in Fiji.

“We have an equipment purchase/replacement plan and all new equipment are procured based on this plan,” he said.

“In the past, new container handling machineries were included in our fleet and in the near future there will be some more additions.”

He adds that FPTL has continuously strived to ensure that its terminals are fully digitalised and automated.

“Most of the core terminal functions are digitalised and automated and we are working on digitalising and automating other related aspects.”

According to Mr Kumar, digitalising operations at Suva Port has significantly contributed to improvements in port operational efficiency.

“Improving the servicing of vessels calling our ports and the movement of imports/exports in and out of terminal,” he said.

“The automation of terminal functions is essential as it has a direct impact on the port operational efficiency benefiting all in the supply chain.”

Container Volume
Container volume for last month has increased as 16,966 TEUs were recorded in April compared to 13,391 TEUs in March.

19 containerships were expected to arrive this month.

“All operations at FPTL are preplanned and is coordinated accordingly hence, contributing towards better traffic management,” he said.

“Currently, we are adequately meeting the demands of shipping services in Fiji.”

Mr Kumar said proper traffic flow at Suva Port has helped minimise delays and wastage.

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