The MV Lomaiviti Princess is in New Zealand undergoing an emergency underwater survey and repairs.

Goundar Shipping Services manager finance, operations and business Rakesh Prasad confirmed yesterday the vessel left for New Zealand last Monday.

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

Vessel owner, George Goundar confirmed in an earlier interview 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.

This trip Mr Goundar revealed cost the company around $US1.5 million ($FJ3.2million).

Mr Goundar is currently with a crew of more than 20, checking on the repair works of his vessel.

“The MV Lomaiviti Princess I will be going up to Devonport in New Zealand for dry docking and survey. It has 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.”

“This trip to New Zealand cost around US$1.5million – 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 could have been spent locally if we had the facility,” Mr Goundar said.