The partial divestment of the Fiji Ports to Aitken Spence has enabled our port to run more efficiently today compared to previous years.

Attorney general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says there’s proper management now because the Sri Lankan global maritime logistics company has brought in the skillsets.

He says Fiji needs to reaffirm itself as the hub of the pacific by being a strong port nation.

Since the divestment, cargo handling has improved by 60% compared to past years where an average stay of vessel was 36 hours.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday Sayed-Khaiyum highlighted the average turn-around of vessel is now less than 20 hours.

“When Aitken Spence took over the matters of FPCL the average berthing for vessel was recorded as 6 hours. Today, the same has been reduced to one hour or less from 6 hours to 1 hour. As a result of these efficiencies the shippers and consigners used to charge an additional USD$125 per 20 foot container because there was too much wastage. They’re burning fuel – that’s gone. It means the cost of bringing a container into Fiji and out is reduced. What does it mean? That’s passed down to consumers it’s passed up to exporters so we become attractive, we want to create this into a transhipment hub.”

The Attorney General has also revealed the government is trying to rebuild our shipyard through Aitken Spence.

He adds it will take time but he’s given his assurance that divestment of such shares in various entities can bring in rewarding results – if strategically done properly.