The poor management and lack of performance at the Suva and Lautoka ports are the main reason behind the government's decision to hand over management of the ports to Sri Lankan-based global maritime logistics company Aitken Spence PCL.
The Fiji Times reports the move for the 5-point-9 million US dollar public and private partnership can turn the ports into a more attractive transshipment hub for other places in the Pacific.
Under the agreement, Aitken Spence PCL has purchased shares in FPCL subsidiary Ports Terminal Limited and will take over the running of the two major ports.
Aitken Spence was chosen to run the ports after expressions of interest were invited for the task last December.
The Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama said the performance of the two ports were so poor, that shipping companies had imposed special levies on their voyages to Fiji.
