Good news for the travelling public. Goundar Shipping Limited’s newest vessel, MV Lomaiviti  Princess V is on her way.

The vessel was given the green light to sail to Fiji after an inspection by the surveyors of the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF).

She left Canada last Saturday with a crew of 18 and two Canadian engineers. The vessel is expected to arrive on November27.

Inspection by MSAF

The MSAF surveyors spent one week in Canada and returned last Wednesday.

Goundar Shipping Limited owner and managing director George Goundar said despite the negative criticisms about the vessel, they have adhered to all requirements under Fiji’s maritime laws.

“Two surveyors were here in Canada to inspect the vessel and they were certainly impressed. They conducted a general inspection and awarded us with a seagoing certificate,” Mr Goundar said.

He assured future travellers from Suva to Savusavu and Kadavu that the vessel will surely accommodate their needs.

Crew all geared

Mr Goundar said his crew left Canada in high spirits, knowing that they had learned a lot from very experience engineers from BC Ferries, the former owners of MV Queen of Nanaimo (now MV Lomaiviti Princess V).

This is an investment by the company to further train their staff to be on par with international standards.

What customers can

expect

Mr Goundar further stated that the ferry fare will drop by 20 per cent for the holiday season.

The new vessel will be providing daily service to savusavu and two trips a week to Kadavu.

He said making travelling more convenient for the general public was his mission.

“We hope the people in Fiji will appreciate what Goundar Shipping and its employees are doing for them. We have a few people in Fiji who are spreading false rumours about the vessel . They should wait and see till the vessel arrives in Fiji,” Mr Goundar said.

“But I assure you that it has been worth the investment,” he added.