Aitken Spence enhances efficiency at Fiji Ports

Thursday, 13 November 2014 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Since taking over management control of the International Fijian ports of Suva and Lautoka in July last year, Aitken Spence has increased ship crane productivity by 70%. Aitken Spence has also reduced berthing delays from between 12 to 18 hours to 0.50 hours on average while equipment downtime has been reduced by 60%.

The substantial efficiency improvements were highlighted by Chairman/CEO of Aitken Spence Maritime, Logistics and Cargo and Director of Aitken Spence PLC, Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake, in his address at the 39th Pacific Maritime Transport Alliance Conference held in the island country of Niue from 28 to 31 October. The conference, themed ‘Our Pacific shores, the waves of possibilities’, was attended by 26 countries in the South Pacific including Australia and New Zealand.

Marking the first ever public-private partnership by a Sri Lankan company, Aitken Spence entered into a public-private partnership with Fiji Ports Corporation acquiring 51% of the shares in Ports Terminal Ltd. in 2013 to oversee the repair and operation of the ports of Suva and Lautoka. Aitken Spence Plc is among Sri Lanka’s most dynamic and respected corporate entities with operations in South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the South Pacific. Listed in the CSE since 1983, it has major interests in hotels, travel, maritime services, logistic solutions and power generation. The group also has a significant presence in plantations, printing, garments, financial services, insurance and information technology. “We are confident the private-public partnership would result in the establishment of Fiji as the gateway to the Pacific,” said Dr. Dissanayake. “We will bring in global best practices in human resources and processes in the system and also in the sphere of having the right machinery to have the right level of productivity,” he added. The Pacific Maritime Transport Alliance Conference emphasised the importance of safety and security for all ships navigating the vast Pacific Ocean for maritime transportation and trade within the region. The conference provided an opportunity for port members from Pacific Island countries and territories to share ideas, enhance understanding and promote co-operative approaches. The conference noted that in order to improve safety and security, ports and infrastructure providers need to embrace a business outlook, with operation and service strategies that adhere to legislation and encourage improved performance.