MV Princess Civa, owned by Tokalau Shipping Company is back in business with on its normal passenger-cargo schedule.

This after the vessel made special trips to the Lau Group soon after severe Tropical Cyclone Winston.

Company manager Isireli Mokunitolevu said they have been working round the clock to meet the needs of the people as well as provide good ferry services to their customers.

In light of their continuous assistance, Mr Mokunitolevu said they dropped the freight of cargo to the people of Vanuabalavu as they were one of the severely-hit populations.

“The drop in the price of cargo freight is like a donation made to everyone who suffered the painful experience of TC Winston.

“Our schedule has normalised and we have been making a few runs now.

“The severe damages made by TC Winston did not deter us from taking the trips to few parts of Lau like Lakeba and Vanuabalavu,” he said.

Before the TC Winston hit the country, the vessel was laden with goods bound for Lakeba from Suva.

They made this trip soon after the strong winds died down, including Vanuabalavu.

This was probably the first trip by a commercial vessel to the Lau Group after the cyclone.

“We took groceries and cargo of up to 300 tonnes and more,” he said.

The Tokelau Shipping Company also serves at the islands of Totoya, Kabara, Komo, Namuka, Tuvuca and Lomaloma in Vanuabalavu.

Mr Mokunitolevu said: “We don’t have any future plans on increasing our fleet but we are hoping that the shipping services would change for the better since we are not on the franchise scheme.

“We are hoping that the jetties in the Lau Group would be upgraded since the current conditions have worsened now and it doesn’t have a proper mooring buoy,” he said.

The MV Princess Civa left for Yasayasa Moala last Sunday at 6pm.