Twelve Goundar Shipping Limited staff left for Japan yesterday to bring in Lomaiviti Princess IX (9) the fourth of its five vessels this year.

Lomaiviti Princess IX is part of the $14million GSL Managing Director George Goundar has budgeted for purchasing passenger vessels this year.

Mr Goundar said early this month that other two vessels are due into the country by August to be in time for the peak Christmas and New Year season.

The last of the new additions this year Lomaiviti Princess X (10) is due to come in August.

Last Wednesday, GSL welcomed Lomaiviti Princess VIII (8) at the Port of Mua-i-Walu.

“It is a fast vessel and it has about 16 knots so it will take 12 to 13 days to reach Fiji. It costs $2.5 million,” Mr Goundar said.

“Lomaiviti Princess VIII is for the Suva-Nabouwalu route. I will run across and stop and depart from there the next day,” he said.

“I am six weeks behind in my schedule. All my ships are supposed to be here by now. Our last vessel will be in by August.

Meanwhile Mr Goundar is pleading with the passengers to take care of the vessels.

“My advice to the people is to enjoy the vessel and not to vandalise it. Yes, it is a new service for us down there and we will appreciate the passengers if they do not vandalise the vessel.

“Yes, we will try to provide a better service but it is their responsibility to be onboard to enjoy facilities on board.”

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