The main commercial centres of Fiji are linked by road, air or sea. The present road system is well developed with a tar-sealed highway linking Suva and Lautoka along the southern/western sections of the island. Further road construction along the northern/eastern sections of the island is being undertaken to complete a tar-sealed road around most of Viti Levu. Buses operate scheduled services within and between cities, towns and other populated areas all around Viti Levu and on the other main islands.
The Nadi International Airport is used by most international airlines operating on transpacific air routes. Fiji is serviced regularly by airlines from Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The national airline Air Pacific operates scheduled flights between Nadi, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea and West Coast USA, as well as other countries of the South Pacific. There are regular daily flights between Nadi and Suva through two domestic airlines.
Fiji has international shipping services. Suva is the main port and its wharf facilities are capable of handling large cargo and passenger vessels. Lautoka, Levuka and Savusavu are the other ports of entry. In addition Fiji is the hub of the South Pacific telecommunication network and focal point of regional business activity.
ROAD TRANSPORT
Fiji has 4777.13 kilometres of proclaimed road. The main sections of which are tar sealed linking Suva, Nadi and Lautoka, the major cities and town of the main island of Viti Levu. The Suva-Nadi highway is 185 kilometres long. Nadi, where the international airport is based, can be reached (from Suva) at the highway speed of 80 kilometres per hour in less than 3 hours. There are regular bus, taxi and motor vehicle rental services available. The main mode of travel between the two main islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, which are separated by Bligh Waters, is by air and sea. The Public Works Department is responsible for administration of roads in Fiji.
SEA CONNECTIONS
Ports
Fiji, at the hub of the South Pacific, is a shipping terminal of enormous value. In recent years, tremendous developments have taken place in Fiji’s ports, both large and small, and much more is to come as the country develops its own industries and expands the services it offers to other countries in the Pacific basin.
Administration
The ports of Fiji are administered by the Maritime & Ports Authority of Fiji (MPAF). MPAF is financially self-supporting and is a member of the International Association of Ports and Harbours and the Secretariat for the South Pacific Ports Association. It has been corporatised with the Ports Authority of Fiji as the regulatory authority, with Ports Terminal Services being the commercial arm.
Ports of Entry
There are three ports of entry into Fiji, Suva, Lautoka and Levuka. Other ports and deep-water anchorages are at Malau, Savusavu and Vuda Point. All customs, immigration, and quarantine facilities are provided.
Suva
The Maritime Ports Authority of Fiji has just completed its major development project for the port of Suva, Fiji’s largest port.
The Port is a natural harbour and has improved shore facilities, modern plant and equipment and efficient port services coupled with fast shipping turnaround and cargo flow. Suva port has no length or draft limitation for conventional vessels entering port. The largest vessel regularly entering is 42,000 tonnes. The Port of Suva has the following berthing facilities for both overseas and local vessels.
|
Wharf
|
Length
(Metres)
|
Depth Alongside(Metres)
|
| OVERSEAS |
| Kings |
492
|
11.6
|
| Walu Bay |
184
|
9.0
|
| LOCAL |
| Princes |
156
|
4.3
|
| Walu Bay No.1 |
73
|
3.0
|
| Walu Bay No.2 |
46
|
3.5
|
| Repair(Marine) |
122
|
3.0
|
The new look Suva port provides a wide range of services which include: pilotage, safe anchorage and deep berths, stevedoring and general cargo handling, cargo and container storage including freezer and cooler for both containers and loose cargo warehousing, fumigation and incineration and weighbridge facilities.
Lautoka
Lautoka is the second largest port of entry in the country and handles the bulk of Fiji’s sugar and timber exports. The port services the shipping needs of Western Viti Levu and is the base for local cruise vessels that ferry passengers to and from the many holiday resorts on offshore islands.
In addition to the PAF owned wharf, other port facilities include a number of privately owned terminals for the handling of petroleum, gas, bulk sugar, molasses, and wood chips. There is also a Fishing Port that services the requirements of local fishermen.
Lautoka has berthing facilities as follows:
|
Wharf
|
Length
(Metres)
|
Depth Alongside(Metres)
|
| OVERSEAS |
| Queens Wharf, West Quay |
140
|
11.0
|
| North Quay |
78
|
7.0
|
| Sugar and Woodchips Terminal |
176
|
11.0
|
| LOCAL |
| Queens Wharf, East Way |
140
|
3.6
|
| Queens Wharf, South Way |
78
|
3.0
|
| Kings Wharf |
93
|
1.5
|
SEA FREIGHT Cargo Handling and Stevedoring Services
The Ports Authority provides handling and stevedoring services at the ports of Suva, Lautoka and Levuka. Shipping agents are required to submit shipping information i.e. vessels, ETA, Draft, GRT, cargo for loading or discharge and number of labour gangs required.
Containerisation
Fiji has kept pace with the development of container traffic. Container ships generally calling in Fiji are self-sustaining types and provide the necessary heavy equipment for discharge of the containers. The upgraded container yard in the Port of Suva has facilitated container storage and greatly improved manpower efficiency.
Storage
The storage facilities at Ports of Suva and Lautoka cater for transit goods, bonded warehouse goods, cold storage goods and general storage. The Port of Suva currently has 6 storage sheds providing 12,200 square metres of storage area, whereas Lautoka Wharf has 3 sheds providing 6,030 square metres of storage area.
There are facilities for bonded and transshipment cargo, at Suva and Lautoka, Inland Freight stations are operated to supplement the port storage space and facilitate the removal of uncleared cargo from the wharves.
Equipment
A fleet of cargo handling equipment comprising heavy duty forklift trucks, tractors, mobile cranes, trailers etc. is owned and operated by PAF for cargo handling in the port.
Tonnage Rate
In line with the practice in other progressive ports, special tonnage rates for stevedoring and general cargo handling within the port can be negotiated with the authority.
In principle, rates can be negotiated for containers, break-bulk cargo, unutilised and palletised cargoes with specific consideration given to vessel types and discharge methods.
Cargo Types
All types of cargo can be handled at the port:
-
General Cargo
Merchandise, electrical equipment, steel, cement, fertilizers, logs, sawn timber, container, heavy lifts, refrigerated goods.
-
Dry Bulk Cargo
Rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, coal, gypsum, clinker.
-
Liquid bulk
Petroleum products, chemical products, vegetable oils, coconut oils, liquid gas, tallow. Trans - shipment
MPAF offers Suva and Lautoka as trans – shipment ports for cargo for the Pacific Region. The container and shed storage facilities can cater for a much larger volume of trans – shipment cargo. There is a 5week free storage concession for trans - shipment cargo. As a further inducement, there is an offer of a total package rate to cover port and handling cargo.
Frequent Passenger Vessles
|
Name of Vessel
|
Country of Origin
|
Countries Covered
|
|
Fairstar
|
Italy
|
Sydney,Noumea(New Caledonia),Vila (Vanuatu),Fiji
|
|
Canberra
|
UK
|
Worldwide Cruise
|
|
Club Med(2)
|
France
|
South Pacific
|
|
Sea Bourne Pride
|
USA
|
Worldwide Cruise
|
|
Kazakstan
|
Germany
|
Worldwide Cruise
|
Cargo Vessels
|
Name of Vessel
|
Country of Origin
|
Countries Covered
|
| Armacup Express Car Line |
Japan
|
Japan/Fiji
|
| Bali Hai Service |
UK
|
Japan & South Pacific
|
| Bank Line |
USA
|
Europe & South Pacific
|
| Blue Star Line |
Brazil
|
US Westcoast & Pacific
|
| Barbican Line |
Brazil
|
Brazil/S.Africa/Aust/Fiji
|
| Columbus Line |
Hamburg
|
SE Asia & Europe
|
| Kyowa Line |
Japan
|
Japan & South Pacific
|
| Nedlloyd Lines |
Rotterdam
|
SE Asia, Europe, Hong Kong & Pacific
|
| Pacific Forum Line |
Fiji
|
Australia, New Zealand & Pacific
|
Sample Sea Freight Rates
The sample freight rates quoted are on linear terms, that is freight rates include:
For more information on the seafreight or airfreight please visit the Williams and Gosling Ltd website;- www.wgfiji.com.fj or the Pacific Agencies on email;- info@pacshipfiji.com.fj
AIR CONNECTIONS AND AIR FREIGHT
AIRPORTS
Over the years, the local aviation industry has grown substantially such that Fiji now plays a central role in the air transport systems of the South Pacific.
The international airport based in Nadi is equipped to handle all types of commercial aircraft from the Twin Otter to the Stretched Jumbo. In arriving at a planned expansion programme for Nadi Airport to cope with increasing traffic, greater emphasis has been placed on two specific areas namely: improvements to the main runway to cope with increased usage by heavier craft and the upgrading of passenger facilities in the terminal building to improve passenger flow. Overlaying of the main runway has been completed and the terminal building has been redeveloped. Nadi Airport has the capacity to handle up to a fivefold increase in aircraft movements without any significant change to the current level of manpower. Besides Nadi, Nausori Airport is the other major airport. There are also other small government and private domestic airports.
ADMINISTRATION
The Airports Fiji Limited owns and operate Fiji's international aiports at Nadi and Nausori and was contracted by the government to operate 13 other domestic aiports within the country including Rotuma. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Fiji Islands (CAAFI) is a statutory authority that regulates the civil aviation safety operations and security in accordance with the international Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices. Its functions also include:
-
the registration of aircraft
-
safety of air navigation and aircraft
-
control of air traffic
-
certification of aircraft and operators
-
licensing of aircrew and airports.
Air Terminal Services Fiji Limited (ATS) provides ground handling services to regional and international carriers at Nadi Airport. In addition to handling scheduled carriers, ATS provides all services as required to all types of ad hoc operators ranging from charter flights and long haul freighters to military and private aircraft. They are certified to handle and are equipped to work on everything from wide-bodied passenger and freight aircraft to turbo prop and light aircraft.
AIRLINE OPERATIONS
International
Air Pacific, Fiji’s national airline, has progressively grown as a local and international airline. Today it operates 3 aircraft types. The aircraft types are:
- 1 x 737 - Boeing 737 - 500
- 1 x 767 - Boeing 767 - 300ER
- 2 x 747 - Boeing 747 - 200
- 1 x Boeing 737 - 700
- 1 x Boeing 767 - 300
- 1 x Boeing 737 - 300
- 2 x Boeing 737 - 800
Besides Air Pacific, Qantas, Air New Zealand, Canadian Pacific, Korean Airlines, Royal Tongan Airlines, Solomon Airlines, Air Marshall Islands, Air Nauru, Air Vanuatu and Polynesian Airlines, provide international services through Nadi Airport.
Current services provided by Air Pacific (FJ) is as follows:
|
Destination
|
Frequency per Week
|
| Tonga |
3 |
| Sydney |
7 |
| Apia |
3 |
| Auckland |
11 |
| Brisbane |
5 |
| Honiara |
2 |
| Melbourne |
2 |
| Vila |
2 |
| Narita(Japan) |
2 |
| Wellington |
1 |
| ChristChurch |
2 |
| Seoul |
2 |
| Los Angeles |
3 |
| Hawaii |
1 |
| Vancouver |
1 |
Other European, Asian and American continental services are provided by Qantas and Air New Zealand.
Domestic
On the domestic front, the development of local air services has progressed well to service outlying islands. Air Pacific Limited, Air Fiji and Sunflower Airlines continue to be the principal domestic operators using Nausori Airport as their main base of operations. Other domestic operations are Turtle Airways Limited and Air Wakaya.
Air Fiji and Sunflower Airlines which service the Suva - Labasa trunk route, operates schedule flights to the outer islands and provides charter services.
Sunflower Airlines Limited is based at Nadi Airport and also operates its own flying school.
Turtle Airways Limited is based at Nadi Airport and operates domestic charter operations to island resorts in Nadi Bay and within the Fiji group.
Vanua Air is based at Suva, and primarily provides air cargo services to the islands.
Air Wakaya is based at Suva, and provides cargo services to the resort on Wakaya Island.
AIR FREIGHT
Air Freight services are available in two forms, namely, air cargo and air courier. These services are available on all aircraft operating out of Nadi Airport.
Air Courier
This service is primarily meant for documents and parcels that need immediate delivery within a couple of days. The pertinent feature of courier service is that it is a door-to-door service. There are no prescribed courier rates and it varies from courier company to company.
Competition has led to variation in better and more efficient services.
Examples of Courier Service:
-
Document Service - for shipping document, business reports, bank documents, airline tickets, cancelled cheques.
- Parcel Service - for tapes, advertising material, spare parts, sample, slides, cassettes, diskette.
Air Cargo
International air cargo, airport to airport service is available for all types of commodities. General air cargo rates are prescribed after consultation with air transport body IATA, acronym for International Air Transport Association. The rates so prescribed are minimum and are also known as IATA rates. Reduced commodity rates are negotiable with the transporters on the basis of bulk and frequency. Moreover, certain transporters offer special consolidated rates based on a grouping system. Consolidated rates operate under the concept of bringing freight together and hence could work out to be cheaper than general rates. Consolidated rates are normally prescribed by Freight Forwarders who establish their own rates (from the prescribed IATA rates) based on the item, total weight and the frequency at which the targeted weight is achieved. General freight rate, or IATA rate, will be used for goods that cannot wait for grouping dates.
Registered Freight Forwarders:
These are some of the many freight forwarders available:
- DHL International (Fiji) Limited
www.dhl.com
Email:dhlinfo@fj.dhl.com
- Carpenters Shipping
www.carpship.com.fj
Email:suva.shipping@carpenters.com.fj
- Williams and Goslings Limited
[UPS-United Parcel Services]
info@wgfiji.com.fj
- Air Pacific Limited
www.airpacific.com
- CDP Services Limited
Email: cdpcourier@connect.com.fj
- EMS Courier Post
emscustser@connect.com.fj
- Freight Services (Fiji) Ltd
www.freightservicesfiji.com
TELECOMMUNICATION
Fiji is the hub of the South Pacific Telecommunication network and focal point of regional business activity. Telecommunications is one of the major ingredients of successful business, which in turn is the lifeblood of national development. Telecom Ltd provides all the telecommunication facilities listed below:
|
Telephone Connection Charges Service
|
Charge
|
| For complete direct exchange connection |
$79.20
|
| A telephone apparatus installation |
$35.20
|
| Reconnection from previous subscriber |
$39.60
|
| Deposit of $200 and monthly rental of |
$6.78
|
| For each internal extension, internal extension socket or internal extension bell |
$37.13
|
|
Telephone Rental Charge
|
Per Month
|
Per Annum
|
| Business |
6.78
|
81.36
|
| Residential |
5.32
|
63.84
|
|
Telephone Extensions Charge
|
FID
|
FID
|
| Each internal extension standard telephone instrument and wiring |
4.13
|
51.56
|
| Each internal parallel extension |
4.13
|
51.56
|
| Each internal socket extension after the first |
0.55
|
6.60
|
| Each internal plug ended telephone after the first |
1.89
|
39.60
|
|
Telephone Call Charge Unit fee (subscribers telephone) |
0.12
|
| Unit fee (public coin box) |
0.20
|
International Telephone Service
Fiji International Telecommunications Limited (FINTEL) is an international telecommunication carrier and is an extended arm of Telecom Fiji Ltd. It is a public bureau providing telephone, telex, telegram and facsimile facilities. There is a $500 deposit required from expatriates before a telephone can be installed.
All applications for telecommunication services should be made to:
The Managing Director
Telecom Fiji Ltd
Private Mail Bag
SUVA
Tel: (679) 3304019
Fax: (679) 3306180
International calls to most overseas countries could be made through directory assistance or direct through international direct dialing (IDD).
Vodafone Services
Mobile Vodafone products and services were recently introduced in Fiji and is fast becoming a popular mode of mobile communications for business professionals.
Vodafone Fiji will initially provide coverage within the area from Ba to Nausori via the Queens Highway and up to 30 kilometres offshore. The Vodafone network is made up of a series of base-stations all of which communicate with each other via their central exchange in Suva. Telecom and FINTEL exchanges can also be accessed allowing instant communications anywhere in the world.
For further information please visit the website;- www.vodafone.com.fj
Internet
Individual Access
Internet Services offers Internet access to individuals with our 'Individual Dialup' and 'Home User' packages. Casual access is also available at business bureaus and Internet cafes.
Corporate Access
Corporate connections allow an organisation to have Internet access via a single link with Internet Services. Internet access is then distributed to individual users over a network or the link may be used by a single person. Corporate Access options provide 24-hour connectivity and allow organisations to manage their own email accounts, web sites and other services.
Individual Dial-Up Package
This service allows a user access to our service at a maximum speed of 28.8 kbps. The telephone number is toll free. This service is available Fiji wide (provided access to a telephone is available).
|
Installation Fee
|
$110.00
|
| Monthly Rental |
$ 22.00
|
| On-line usage |
12c a minute
|
For further information please visit the website;- www.connect.com.fj
|
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