All Hands on Deck for Our Courier Services
The coronavirus pandemic has heightened the role courier services play during a national crisis.
In Fiji, the significance of such logistical services was revealed in facts that included the transporting of pharmaceutical supplies around the country. Courier services have also risen to the occasion with door to door delivery, a safe practise that limits human contact at a time when social distancing is key.
Courier Documents and Parcels Services (CDP)
Pharmaceutical supplies, such as blood samples, have topped the consignment list of goods transported by Couriers Documents and Parcels Services (CDP).
CDP chief executive officer Rajnil Singh said agricultural goods such as taro, kava and harvested produce were second on the list of items couriered following the coronavirus pandemic in Fiji.
“Manufacturing and retail areas marked a noticeable decrease,” he said.
CDP aims to deliver within a 24-hour turnaround time from all its nine offices nationwide, all of which remain open, Mr Singh said.
The company owns a fleet of 120 vehicles, and employs a maximum of 180 workers when it includes seasonal staff.
“We courier everything from envelopes to containers,” Mr Singh said.
“The only ered are of ture.
“It’s difficult to run the network with reduced volume as we are.
“But we have to ensure our partners and clients are operating this time.”
CDP is said to be Fiji’s first courier company, established in 1975
Express (EMS)
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Mail Service courier
Post Fiji’s courier service company Express Mail Service is waiting for approval to access services that cross through the restricted confinement zone.
Chief executive officer Anirudha Bansod said EMS branches on the main land and outer islands remained open as an essential service provider.
“The volume of items has duced substantially.”
He said there was no limitation at the moment on the type of goods carried, specifically essential goods.
Mr Bansod said items for courier could be delivered to the the nearest post office, or customers can contact Post Fiji call center on 132123.
“Approximately 70-plus workers are employed at the moment Fiji wide to provide service to the general public.
“We have the largest fleet of vehicles in Fiji, which cater daily through EMS.” re
Dalsey, Hillblom and Lynn Express Fiji (DHL)
Fiji’s online purchase for goods from abroad have increased, said DHL Express Fiji and Pacific Islands country manager Mark Komene.
He said DHL noted an increase in online purchases for items overseas, for the months January to March.
“When this crisis is over, Fiji’s ability to trade internationally will be restored, and DHL Express Fiji will play its part in that restoration.”
DHL Fiji offices are located in Suva and Nadi.
Mr Komene said DHL Fiji’s door to door delivery continued in all accessible areas.
“Our Fiji couriers are specially equipped with gloves, masks and hand sanitisers to ensure safe delivery of shipments during this coronavirus crisis. “We’ve also equipped couriers with anti-bacterial wipes to ensure customers can sign our handheld scanner devices in a hygienic manner.
Mr Komene said as more and more people in Fiji worked from home, online orders for items abroad increased, as international shipments can prove.
“We are experiencing some delays in Fiji because of the suspension of scheduled flights. However, freighter aircraft continue to operate, making it possible to work with our national airline to ensure goods are received.” Mr Komene said access even areas in the confinement zones, allowed for the continuity of trade of essential goods.