SUVA, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- China Railway First Group (Fiji) Co., Ltd (CRFG) on Monday started to work on Fiji's Lautoka Yard 3 development project intended to increase the storage capacity of the Lautoka port 24 km north of Fiji's third largest city Nadi.
Speaking at the groundbreaking of the project, Fiji's Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Shaheen Ali said, "This project needs to be delivered in a timely manner, without compromise to quality and standards. I am sure China Railway First Group (Fiji) Co, Ltd is up to the task."
The new project will significantly boost Fiji's ability to deal with trade and efforts to turn into a transshipment hub in the Pacific, according to the minister.
With some four million U.S. dollars in investment, the container yard 3 project is expected to increase the storage capacity of the Lautoka port with the new facility to store up to 1,260 containers.
The Lautoka port is Fiji's second largest but the busiest multi-purpose port. For years it has been a maritime gateway to the Pacific region.
The container yard 3 development project is planned to enable operations in the yard not to be affected by the high tide and heavy rain.
It is also expected to extend the container yard's service life to 30 years. Enditem