Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka recently visited the Silk Road Maritime Management Center and the Xiamen International Shipping Science Innovation Center in Xiamen, Fujian Province. This visit aligns with his goal of establishing Fiji as the Pacific’s logistics hub by enhancing the efficiency and capacity of its ports.
Xiamen Port, under the management of these facilities, is a crucial coastal port in China and ranks among the top twenty ports globally in terms of operational effectiveness. It serves as a vital node in the country’s transportation system, housing a significant digitalized container port, a cruise ship home port, and a trade port for routes across the Taiwan Strait.
Upon arrival at Xiamen Port, Prime Minister Rabuka and his delegation were given an in-depth briefing on the port’s daily operations. Mr. Xia Changwer, the director general of the Xiamen Port Authority, welcomed them and detailed the port’s various terminals, including those for bulk cargo, containers, and specialized facilities for oil and gas handling.
The infrastructure at the port boasts modern container handling equipment and efficient customs procedures that enable quick turnaround times, demonstrating Xiamen’s advancements in technology.
As part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which promotes international investment and trade, the port of Xiamen plays an essential role by connecting with critical shipping lanes and free trade areas. Mr. Changwer expressed Xiamen’s eagerness to strengthen its partnership with Fiji, particularly in the cruise sector and other mutual areas of interest.
After touring the state-of-the-art port facilities, Prime Minister Rabuka voiced his admiration for Xiamen, highlighting Fiji’s interest in learning from its practices to enhance the nation’s maritime trade, as well as its regional and global logistics capabilities.
The Fijian government continues to invest in infrastructure improvements aimed at bettering port services, which include container handling, storage, customs processing, and support for maritime industries.