The MV Lomaiviti Princess will head to New Zealand early next month for an emergency survey, costing the owner around $US1.5 million ($FJ3.2million).

Vessel owner, George Goundar of Goundar Shipping Limited confirmed that while the dry docking process is a hefty expense for the company, it is a need.

As a result, the MV Lomaiviti Princess will be out of service for three weeks.

“The MV Lomaiviti Princess I will be going up to Devonport in New Zealand for dry docking and survey. We will be leaving on March 3 for a scheduled 12-day survey,” he said.

Mr Goundar said the vessel had problems with its propeller shafts.

He blamed fishing vessels throwing fishing lines and debris on the side of the wharf to be the cause of the problem.

“This is an ongoing issue with the fishing vessels throwing the debris over the side  damaging both of my shaft seals. It has been leaking for eight months.  “We have pumped grease in the system to stop the oil leak but it is not good for my vessel, so, we have to go for emergency dry docking.”

Mr Goundar said the normal survey of the vessel is not due until after three years. A crew of 25 staff will be taking the vessel for repairs.

Temporary route for                      new vessel

The company’s newest fleet, MV Lomaiviti Princess III, will be covering the route of MV Lomaiviti Princess.

Mr Goundar said because of the slow travelling period, it is only ideal for them to make the emergency trip to New Zealand.

“This trip to New Zealand cost around $1.5million US– a huge cost.

“This is why I keep insisting to build my own dry dock in Fiji to facilitate my own vessels and other ships.

“This is a big loss for us because this money ccould havee been spent locally if we had the facility,” Mr Goundar said.

In the meantime, the MV Lomaiviti Princess III is undergoing some modification works to accommodate passenger needs.

This also adds another $50,000 to the company’s bills in their bid to adhere to their customer’s requests.

“We are working on renovating this vessel which includes more accommodation privileges to take in more passengers including the addition of 152 aircraft seats.

“The modification process will take another two weeks, just before MV Lomaiviti Princess leaves for New Zealand.

“She will be making three trips per week; Suva-Savusavu-Taveuni and Suva-Kadavu.

“We hope that she will be back by end of March,” Mr Goundar said.