The Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd (FPCL) last month carried out internal quality assurance audits at Levuka and Lautoka ports aimed at strengthening workplace organisation, hygiene and safety across key operational areas. The Quality Assurance Unit’s inspections assessed adherence to 5S principles — sort, set in order, shine, standardise and sustain — and reviewed hygiene standards for offices, operational zones and common facilities, the corporation said.
The Lautoka audit was conducted over three days, from March 10 to March 12, and was described by FPCL as a comprehensive review of 5S implementation across administrative and operational spaces. At Levuka, auditors focused on workplace organisation, cleanliness and compliance with established hygiene procedures. In both ports the exercise sought to reinforce existing best practices while pinpointing areas requiring improvement.
FPCL said the audits were documented in detail to "highlight strengths, address gaps and identify opportunities" to further enhance efficiency, workplace safety and environmental hygiene. The corporation framed the inspections as part of an ongoing commitment to quality assurance, operational discipline and continuous improvement to ensure consistent standards across all its facilities.
The adoption of 5S methodologies in port environments is intended to reduce hazards, improve the flow of work and maintain cleaner, more organised spaces — outcomes that can help minimise delays in cargo handling and lower the risk of workplace incidents. By formally auditing compliance, FPCL aims to translate these management principles into measurable practices across both larger commercial hubs such as Lautoka and smaller regional ports like Levuka.
FPCL did not release detailed findings or timelines for corrective measures in its initial statement, but said that documented observations will inform actions to close identified gaps and build on strengths. The corporation has previously emphasised that routine internal reviews and standard operating procedures are central to maintaining operational readiness and meeting regulatory and environmental hygiene expectations.
The recent audits come as part of broader efforts by port authorities to standardise operations and raise safety and hygiene performance. FPCL indicated the initiative will feed into its wider quality assurance programme and reiterated that maintaining high standards across all port facilities remains a priority. Further updates on specific remedial steps or follow-up audits are expected once FPCL completes its review of the audit reports.
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