State-owned Fiji Hardwood Corporation Ltd (FHCL) yesterday commissioned its new fleet of heavy machinery valued at $2.7 million – anticipated to significantly improve harvesting efficiency of the country’s mahogany resources.
The acquisition of two D6 bulldozers, two 13-tonne excavators and two 12-wheeler trucks were fully funded by FHCL’s operational funds – an investment that marks the first time in the company’s history where it had procured brand-new logging machinery to directly undertake harvesting operations.
FHCL board chairperson Iowane Naiveli said this investment would strengthen their operational capacity and support their goal of improving efficiency and accelerating the harvesting of mahogany.
“Beyond production, this investment allows FHCL to gain direct operational experience. It gives us a clearer understanding of the realities on the ground, including costs, terrain challenges, and productivity demands that our contractors manage daily,” Mr Naiveli said at the launch held at the Nukurua station in Tailevu yesterday.
“This will improve our decision-making and strengthen the way we operate as an organisation.”
FHCL chief executive officer Semi Dranibaka said at present, they were only harvesting around 40,000 cubic metres a year, and the additional machinery would boost their production.
He said there were currently seven contractors, and the additional machinery will add another two contractors for Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
Yesterday, FHCL also launched four corporate documents: Statement of Corporate Intent 2026-2028; Business Plan 2026-2028; 10-year Environmental Management Plan; and the FHCL bulletin.
