A locally-owned shipping company and pioneer of interisland shipping, is downsizing.

Patterson Brothers Shipping Company Limited yesterday confirmed the matter.

This as crew of Interlink Shipping Line were seen working onboard a Patterson Brothers Shipping vessel.

Port authorities and industry observers confirmed sighting of Interlink Shipping workers on board MV Spirit of Harmony, in Suva.

The vessel is one of three owned by Patterson Brothers Shipping.

Patterson Brothers Shipping, a family-run inter-island ferry operations, is one of the longest operators in Fiji.

The company has its origins in Levuka, founded by George Patterson and Henry Patterson, in 1924.

Inter-island ferry operations began in 1924.

By 2020, the company had more than 200 staff across Fiji.

Goundar Shipping – Fiji’s largest interisland shipping service provider – said the development at Patterson Brothers Shipping was regrettable.

“George Patterson was like a big brother to me,” Goundar Shipping managing director, George Goundar said.

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