THE increasing number of cargo vessels using the Lautoka Wharf has led to some major upgrades at the facility.

Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd invested millions of dollars in berthing extensions, land reclamation projects and services streamlining at the port where an average of 37 vessels enter every month.

FPCL Lautoka manager Captain Peni Yauvoli said an average of 444 vessels entered the port every year, 20 of which were cruise liners.

He said the port could berth three container vessels, one bulky and four fishing vessels at any time.

He explained the improvements made at the facility over the past 10 years had been necessary to cater for the growing traffic of shipping vessels to the port.

Lautoka Port is Fiji’s largest port for handling bulk cargo specialising in sugar, molasses, wood chips, petroleum and gas.

“System upgrades included streamlining the port’s customer services in terms of paper work and on-time receiving or delivering of cargoes, the improvement of safety and security awareness of port users.

He said the port also resolved grey areas of responsibilities between FPCL and the Fiji Ports Terminal Ltd which were usually shared with no clear demarcation since 2014.

He said the general outlook of the wharf and co-ordination of safety and security system once a cruise liner entered the port had been improved.

Captain Yauvoli said FPCL also dredged and increased the depth of water at the sugar and wood chips berths to 11.5 metres.

“This has been a long-time problem since sugar and wood chips vessels have to load to a lesser draft which means lesser cargoes hence less returns.

“Now vessels can have maximum loads.”

He explained all these improvements and upgrades were necessary and important for the general facilitation of sea treaders at the port.

“They were also needed for quick and timely handling of cargoes as well as quick turnaround of shops hence satisfying our customers.”

According to FPCL, in June 2005, FPCL completed its $21 million Lautoka Wharf Extension giving Lautoka additional berths to its original one berth capacity.

Extensive reclamation totalling 28 acres has been completed too, providing FPCL with additional land in Lautoka for port related activity.