18% - 20% decrease in volume of cargo/containers this year- Hasmukh Patel

The Chairman of Fiji Ports Terminal Limited Hasmukh Patel has forecast that Fiji will experience 18 to 20 % decrease in the volume of cargo/containers arriving this year compared to 2019.

Patel says they are currently navigating through an unprecedented challenge posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

He says the economic impact has been tremendous and the ports being the critical component and face of trade was the first to experience the impact.

The Chair adds since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic at the beginning of the year, they have witnessed the gradual decrease in cargo/container volumes transiting our ports.

Meanwhile Fiji Ports Terminal Limited paid out $410,000 bonus to 400 permanent employees, registered workers and day contractors, as part of their performance payout for the year ended as at 31st December 2019.