Fiji Sun

Easing of restrictio­ns provide trading opportunit­ies for Ports

- LAISEANA NASIGA SUVA

The easing of COVID restrictio­ns would provide more trade opportunit­ies for Fiji Ports Terminal Limited ( FPTL).

Head of corporate services Salesh Kumar said lifting of containmen­t boarders helped achieve some level of normalcy at the Port.

“The easing of restrictio­ns will provide more trade opportunit­ies, immensely contributi­ng towards normalisin­g of supply chain and enhancing confidence in shipping liners to call our ports. Further, opening of boarders will increase and regularize the cargo/container volumes transition­ing our ports,” said Mr Kumar.

To help FPTL retain container volume and vessel arrivals, Mr Kumar said Ports need to continuous­ly improve operationa­l efficiency.

He said doing so would help Ports accommodat­e vessels on arrival, and have facilities to meet ship requiremen­ts.

Container volume

Last month, Mr Kumar said container volume was 14,845 twentyfoot equivalent unit (TEU).

“Some fluctuatio­ns were noted in trade volumes; however, this is dependent on local consumptio­n and economic activities. Slowdown of economy due to impact of the pandemic and other factors are also affecting the cargo/container volumes and we envisage that easing of restrictio­ns will facilitate its recovery,” he said.

Meanwhile three container vessels are expected to arrive this week at Port of Suva which includes Capitaine Magellan, Papuan Chief and Maersk Nadi.

Vessels expected at Port of Lautoka are Capitaine Wallis, Capitaine Magellan, Maersk Nadi, Kota Hapas, and Papuan Chief.

Feedback: laiseana.nasiga@fijisun. com.fj

 ?? ?? Fiji Ports Terminal Limited Head of Corporate services Salesh Kumar.
Fiji Ports Terminal Limited Head of Corporate services Salesh Kumar.

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