Marina Staff Return To Work
The Port Denarau Marina Board said its staff are no longer working from home.
The Repairs and Maintenance team have made great progress on the ground with all repairs completed from the damage caused by the last two cyclones as well as continuing with general repairs and maintenance schedule.
Commercial operations
Operationally, the commercial marine arm of the business is in hibernation as most commercial operators have their vessels tied up with skeleton staff.
This is likely to continue until air borders open.
“As landlord, we have significantly reduced the rental charges to 25 per cent of normal rent to our commercial operators as well as our workshop and office tenants.
“We have committed to this until October 2020 when it will be assessed again.
“Our tenants are very appreciative of this initiative and we hope to retain the majority throughout these difficult times with the view of all hitting the ground running once we see tourists back on our shores.
“Our boat yard, private berthing and fueling services are fully operational,” the board said in a statement.
COVID-19 has significantly affected the finances of Port Denarau Marina and the board are constantly analysing our budget, forecast and cashflow.
Financial year
Althoug still forecasting a profit for this financial year, the board have decided not to declare an interim dividend.
This decision has been made to ensure that the marina have adequate cashflow in the short to medium term.
On a very positive note, the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama has announced that Fiji is establishing safe “Blue Lanes”, open to those yachts and pleasure craft sailing to Fiji.
He says being alone at sea is a verifiable, selfcontained quarantine which means anyone coming by pleasure craft to Fiji, so long as they haven’t interacted with others, are very low-risk, but their economic impact is very high-reward.
The opening of borders to tourists and yachts are under strict conditions where approval is not automatic and each application will be specifically assessed by the border agencies
To begin the first stage of tourism reopening in Fiji, Port Denarau Marina will be the pilot programme and the only port of entry.
This initiative has been driven by Port Denarau Marina management, our agents and other stakeholders, and is already seeing a great uptake.
“We have over 100 yachts and superyachts currently requesting permission to travel to Fiji and look forward to having a full marina within the next six weeks.”
Port Denarau Marina has completed its digital re-registration requirements with the Registrar of Companies.
Annual report
At this stage the board are confident that we will be able to meet our normal reporting deadlines of the release date of our audited accounts, annual report and the holding of our AGM.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff, customers and shareholders for your continual support of Port Denarau Marina during these challenging times.”
The opening of borders to tourists and yachts are under strict conditions where approval is not automatic and each application will be specifically assessed by the border agencies... Port Denarau Marina will be the pilot programme and the only port of entry.