History of Ports
Fiji Ports Corporation Limited (FPCL) commenced operations 01 July 2005 after two reforms in the Port industry. More commonly referred to as Ports Authority (PAF) Fiji Ports Corporation Limited was registered as a company on 18 August 2004 and operates under the Seaports Management Act 2005.
PAF was created 01 November 1975 as a statutory body under an act of Parliament of the Ports Authority of Fiji Act (No 20).
Reorganization was carried out in March 1998 which reformed PAF into two entities;
- Maritime and Ports Authority of Fiji (MPAF)
- Ports Terminal Limited (PTL)
In the ensuing years, it became evident that there still existed anomalies that were detrimental to the efficient and successful managing of Fiji’s Ports to attain the desired results.
FPCL was borne out of this second reform under the Public Enterprise Act.
- Prior to establishment of the PAF, ports operation was run jointly by a number of Government Departments,the stevedoring and cargo handling controlled by overseas shipping companies with its agents in Fiji.
- The establishment of PAF under an Act of Parliament in 1975 following recommendations by the Ports Commission of Inquiry which studied operations and administrations of ports in Fiji.
- The setting up of the Authority saw the integration of all port operations into a single autonomous BODY.
The PAF Act
- The statuary functions of the Authority as set out in PAF Act no 20 of 1975.
- To provide and maintain adequate and efficient services and facilities in ports and their approaches.
- To regulate and control navigation within ports and approaches.
- To promote and use ,development and improvements of ports.
- To acquire land and execute such works as necessary for the functions of the Authority under provisions of the Act or according to other laws of the country.
PAF Structure
Corporatisation
- The PAF achieved profits from 1975 until 1992-1994 when it recorded losses.
- In 1996 the PAF had commissioned a review of its business operations in anticipation of the Public Enterprise Act and the corporatisation of the PAF.
- With the passage of the PE Act by parliament in December 1996 ,PAF was nominated a re-organised enterprise in April 1997.
- Appointment of a charter committee by Minister Of PE to prepare a reorganisation Charter which will set the direction of corporatisation process which was adopted in October 1997.
The Process
- It involves the split of PAF into a Governmental Commercially Company called the Ports Terminal Limited (PTL).
- And a Commercially Statutory Authority to be named the Maritime Ports Authority Of Fiji.(MPAF)
Functions of the 2 Entities
- PTL assumed the commercial responsibilities of PAF involving cargo handling .
- MPAF took over the regulatory responsibilities and majority of PAF assets
- The two entities PTL and MPAF commenced operations on 1 st March 1998 from which date Ports Authority Of Fiji cease to exist.
PTL Structure
MPAF Structure
REORG CHARTER-MPAF/PTL
- This was based on specific commitments in the 1997 re-organisation Charter for the PAF to undertake further reforms in the Port sector.
- The objectives was to establish a government owned port company (FPCL) with a clear focus on ownership and management of port assets.
- Also increase the operational efficiency of the port company through an intensified focus on commercial activities and by consolidating the governments assets within port sector in a single government entity.
FPCL Responsibilites
- Landlord and property development functions of the port.
- Management of port infrastructure and superstructure.
- Port services provider and also enable competition.
- Ensure maintenance , safety and environmental standards within the port estates.
- Transfer specific functions associated with the performance these roles from MPAF and PTL to FPCL ,together with assets required to undertake these functions.
- Transfer of pilotage responsibilities from PTL to FPCL.
- Transfer of regulatory functions of MPAF to FIMSA ,.
PROCESS
- The incorporation of FIJI PORTS CORPORATION LIMITED (FPCL) under the companies Act and declared a Government Commercial Company under the Public Enterprise Act.
- Regulatory functions (portstate, tower control) were moved to FIMSA.
- On 1st July 2005 MPAF ceased to exist and Fiji Ports Corporation Limited took over wharf assets and business with Ports Terminal Limited as subsidiary to FPCL handling cargo operations.
Fiji’s beautiful Islands are situated between 15 and 20 degrees south of the equator and straddles the 180th meridian of longitude, or the International Dateline, and so becomes the gateway of a new day. 
