Cabinet today approved the declaration of the Galoa Port in Bua province as a new sufferance port of call that can also accommodate international shipping vessels coming to Fiji, for the purpose of international trade.
Cabinet has also agreed that the Galoa Channel be declared as a pilotage area.
Cabinet based its decision on a submission by the Minister for Works, Transport and Public Utilities, Captain (N) Timoci Lesi Natuva.
Galoa port is located half way between Labasa and Nabouwalu and it is connected through a feeder road to the Labasa – Nabouwalu Highway.
The port operator for the Galoa port is Aurum Exploration Limited (XINFA), the company which was awarded the contract to mine and extract bauxite in Nawailevu mining site in Bua for export purposes.
The Minister said that the declaration of Galoa Port as a sufferance port of call and the Galoa Channel as a pilot area will also ensure that more safety measures are put in place in Galoa Bay as well as along the channel towards the port.
“These safety measures shall include ATONS (Aids to Navigations) as well as tug and pilot services to ensure the safety of vessels when entering or departing from the port”, Minister Natuva said.
He said that safety should always remain a paramount focus for any international port in Fiji so that international vessels can feel safe when coming to Fiji for international trade purposes.
Five ports in Fiji have already been declared sufferance ports. They are Dravuni Wharf in Ono, Kadavu; Ellington Wharf in Ra; Denarau port in Nadi, Yasawa-I-Ra in Yasawa; and Nabouwalu in Bua.
Seven ports that have already been declared as international port of call are: Suva Port, Lautoka Port, Levuka Port, Wairiki Port, Malau Port, Rotuma Port, and Savusavu Port.
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