A cargo vessel has suspended its journey to the capital due to reports of congestion. The local shipping agent for Capitaine Tasman confirmed that the vessel would not stop in Suva because there was insufficient berthing space.
Late last night, the Ports authority announced that the vessel had arrived a day late. “There was no berth available on September 21 since the vessel arrived late and other ships were occupying the North and South berths,” stated Shone Pereira, the operations manager at Fiji Ports Terminal.
Exports operators, such as Performance Flotation Development, expressed frustration over this recurring issue. “All inbound goods will be dropped off at Lautoka port and transferred to another ship, Capitaine Magellan, to be brought to Suva,” the Nabua-based textile manufacturer explained.
Mike Towler, managing director of Performance Flotation Development, did not hold back his feelings regarding the situation at the wharf. “This is the sort of nonsense we have to deal with from Fiji Ports,” he said. “It’s a complete joke.”
Towler’s company is recognized as the largest manufacturer of life jackets in the Southern Hemisphere. According to the local agent, Shipping Services Fiji Limited, the Capitaine Tasman bypassed Suva due to the unavailability of berthing space, yard congestion, and slow vessel operation productivity. They confirmed that all inbound cargo would be discharged in Lautoka and subsequently transferred to Capitaine Magellan for delivery to Suva.