Joseph P’s (JP) maiden voyage from Natovi to Levuka today has been deferred for two weeks.

The vessel is fitting in for Lomaiviti Princess 9 for its Ellington to Nabouwalu daily return trips.

LP9 is undergoing repairs at the Industrial and Marine Engineering Ltd (IMEL) slipway.

LP9 had ran into a reef off Ellington Jetty in Rakiraki last month and is expected to be up the slipway the next two weeks.

Goundar Shipping Services managing director George Goundar said Joseph P had started sailing from Ellington Jetty in Rakiraki to Nabouwalu on Monday.

It takes Joseph P two hours and 40minutes to travel from Ellington Jetty to Nabouwalu.

“LP9 went up the Industrial and Marine Engineering Ltd (IMEL) slipway last week for repair and maintenance,” Mr Goundar said.

“The vessel will resume the Ellington to Nabouwalu return trips next fortnight,” he said.

Cost of repair works and maintenance is $100,000.

Meanwhile, Joseph P’s diversion to Ellington eases competition among the three inter-island shipping companies servicing the old capital.

Patterson Brothers Shipping Company Limited (PBSCL) vessel Harmony sails seven days from Buresala for Natovi in the mornings then returns to Buresala soon after.

Passengers on their way to the old capital disembark at their villages with the final stop between the Royal Hotel and the New Mavida Lodge.

The second company Venu Shipping Limited’s (VSL) St Mary serves Natovi to Levuka three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Managing directors of the three shipping companies have connections to the old capital.

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