The Government and the Asian Development Bank are working to identify a new site to relocate the Suva Port or shift some key operations to a new location.
This has been highlighted by Assistant Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel while opening the Suva Port Strategic Review – Site Selection Workshop at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva today.
Immanuel says the government is looking at a port that may be a one stop shop which will accommodate all container ships, fishing vessels and also ship building while the existing Suva Port can be essentially used for cruise liners.
He says the new port will also allow Fiji Ports Corporation Limited to receive larger vessels with higher volumes.
Immanuel says some of the key issues facing Suva Port are structural condition and cost to maintain, capacity limitations, and location which contributes to congestion, encroachment and limited options for expansion.
The Assistant Minister says the Suva Port is becoming too small for the amount of activities happening and thus the need for the relocation to a new site.
He says if these issues remain unaddressed, this may limit the potential for growth and economic development in Fiji.
Immanuel says with the Multi-Criteria Analysis, the consultants, Royal HaskoningDHV, a Australian company has shortlisted three sites which is proposed for relocation of Suva Port commercial cargo handling which are Rokobili and Draunibota in Lami, and Navua.
He adds once a site is selected, government will work on the way forward on the options for the implementation of the project which will include a detailed feasibility and environmental study.
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