Inter-island shipping competition is intensifying.

Goundar Shipping Limited is next week going to be the third inter-island company to service Ovalau.

Joseph P, the latest in Goundar’s fleet of 10 ships, heads to the port of Levuka July 8 for her maiden voyage.

A bus will depart from Suva for Natovi 6am every day to connect with the service arriving in Levuka Port 11am.

Ovalau has been serviced daily by Patterson Brothers Shipping Company Limited, while Venu Shipping Limited services the route three times a week.

While Joseph P and Venu’s StMary’s will be calling into the port of Levuka; Patterson’s Harmony goes to Buresala.

Passengers disembarking at Buresala go by bus to their destinations with the final stop in Levuka between the Royal Hotel and the New Mavida Lodge.

Patterson Brothers managing director, David Patterson, said they would be releasing a statement sometime this week about the competition on the route.

Venu Shipping Limited’s St Mary serves Natovi to Levuka three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Directors of all the three shipping companies have connections to the old capital.

“With three shipping companies servicing Ovalau the travelling public will have a lot of options to choose from,” said Goundar managing director George Goundar.

Goundar Shipping Limited vessel Joseph P at Port Mua-i-Walu on June 30, 2020. Photo: Ronald Kumar

TIME

“Businesses and traveling public will have more time to spend in Levuka before JP departs for Natovi at 3pm. This is the daily timetable,” Mr Goundar said.

Joseph P can carry 14 ten wheeler trucks and 38 small vehicles.

FARE

Goundar’s fare from Suva to the port of Levuka: $20 adult, $15 student and $10 for children, children under two years travel free.

Venu Shipping fares: adults $20, secondary school students $15, primary students $10, five year olds and under travel free.

Patterson Brothers fare: adults $25, secondary school students $20, primary school students $15, five years and under travel free.

“It’s a tough time now, and the fare meets the public needs,” Mr Goudnar said.

“I’m happy to go back and start operating out of Levuka. When I first started we used to go to Levuka every Friday, then we stopped.

“Now we have the right vessel, it is the right time to return. Operating this route again was my plan from the day I bought the Joseph P.”

Joseph P goes to Nabouwalu in the afternoons from Natovi.

Ovalau has a population of around 15,000.

There are 24 vilages and settlements. On the island are 16 schools which include three secondary schools.

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