Fiji Ships and Heavy Industries Limited (FSHIL has implemented environment-friendly strategies in support of the Pacific Community’s (SPC) Green Pacific Port Initiative.

The regional ship repair facility is joining hands with the rest of the Pacific Island Ports to tackle environmental concerns. It is taking into consideration the upgrade of the existing facilities and putting into place best environment management practice.

“The first strategy in place is saving the current trees we have around the premises and introduce a greener garden initiative which contributes to reducing environmental and carbon footprints. Plants are appropriate for our facility as they absorb noise, pollution and etc,” Operations Manager, Lopeti Radravu said.

He said their next focus would be on renewable energy such as the upgrading of their lightings as already implemented by their parent company, FPCL.

LED lighting upgrade throughout FPCL office buildings was done in 2017 to replace compact fluorescent or tube lights. The cost of replacement is expected to be recouped in within three to four years through savings made in the cost of electricity.

Mr Radravu said they have also implemented control measures and management of Ships’ Biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species and its waste water environment system

FSHIL is the regional port for vessels that come in for maintenance work and repairs.

Meanwhile, the Green Pacific Port initiative aims at improving efficiency and resilience of port operations and infrastructure, whilst reducing environmental and carbon footprints.

This requires an integrated approach towards quality, energy and environmental management of ports and its operations.

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