Fiji Ports Intends To Enhance Port Capacity

The Fiji Ports Terminal Limited intends to enhance its port capacity this year.

Chief executive officer Hasthika Dela said FPTL intends to do this through technological advancements, streamlining processes, acquiring new cargo handling machinery, removing unproductive structures and buildings, and expanding the yard area.

Mr Dela said that by enhancing the port capacity, it would help ad-dress insufficient yard space and port congestions.

Insufficient yard space and port congestion are yearly challenges faced by FPTL.

“The main challenge is the insufficient yard space and quay length to effectively accommodate foreign vessels and cargo volumes,” Mr Dela said. “Last year was challenging as many vessels arrived in Fiji in clusters, deviating from their original schedules.

“This was mainly due to delays at other ports in Oceania and Asia.

“These clustered vessel arrivals created congestion at the ports of Suva and Lautoka.

“The situation was further exacerbated by the weather conditions, especially in Suva.”

Port congestion Mr Dela said that delays on scheduled arrival dates mentioned by shipping lines would result in clustered vessel arrivals.

This is the main cause of port congestion, which is also challenging for the terminal operator.

“As a terminal operator, we are un-able to manage shipping delays. As a terminal operator we accommodate all vessels on first come first serve basis,” Mr Dela said.

FPT provides terminal services to its local and international stake-holders at the two main ports in Fiji, Suva and Lautoka.

The two ports cater to containerised, unitised, and bulk cargoes.

Approximately 95 percent of Fiji’s import and export cargoes are handled via these Ports, and the Port of Suva is identified as the main transshipment hub in the South Pacific Region.

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