Goundar Shipping Offers a Notch-Up for InterIsland Shipping
Goundar Shipping Limited (GSL) says it is taking interisland shipping services to the next level, by delivering passengers within three hours, on daily routes to Levuka, Natovi and Nabouwalu. Company managing director George Goundar made the comment about the latest addition to his fleet of vessels. The MV Joseph P, named in honour of his uncle and co-founder of the company, Joseph Michael Pugan, will commence inter-island services in the next two weeks.
As the fastest and most fuel-efficient vessel in his fleet of 10 ships, MV Joseph P, cost the company $2.4 million. The 56-metre ship runs at the speed of 14.5 knots and can carry 500 passengers.
It consumes 150 litres of fuel on a round trip to the three destinations, Mr Goundar said.
Expect to see a children’s arcade on the top deck where they will have installed a captain’s wheel, binoculars and others. He hopes this will encourage the younger generation to pursue a career in the maritine industry.
Rotuma
In another development, 20 passengers on the Lomaiviti Princess XI were refunded fares for a trip scheduled for Rotuma, last week. Mr Goundar said the vessel was expected to depart Suva for Rotuma on Friday, but was ordered against it by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) on the grounds of lack of compliance.
The Lomaiviti Princess XI was not permitted to sail to Rotuma because of concerns surrounding proper life rafts.
Mr Goundar however maintained his fleet carried the same life raft that every other local shipping company had.
The franchised trip would have been the first for Rotuma since shipping services were suspended on the back of the local coronavirus pandemic. Mr Goundar has since installed the mandated life rafts on his fleet of ships, as he awaits approval from MSAF.
When this edition went to press, queries sent to MSAF were still unanswered.