Fiji’s shipping tycoon, George Goundar, leads a team to Japan this week to purchase another ferry.
It is one of two vessels his company – Goundar Shipping – expects to purchase this year.
The vessel – the 13th to the company’s ever-expanding fleet – is expected to arrive in Fiji by the end of next month, and will be named in his mother’s honour.
“The new ferry will be faster, reducing travel time by more than an hour,” Mr Goundar said.
The development cost the company an investment of $4 million, he said.
“From Japan, we will travel to Korea for some minor changes before we bring it home,” Mr Goundar said. Another vessel will be purchased later in the year.
Shipping tycoon, George Goundar.
Goundar Shipping will also sell, for scrap, two of its ferries this year. Mr Goundar brushes off congratulatory messages over his continued success, crediting his crew and team for where the company is today.
In another development, Mr Goundar congratulated Joeli Cawaki on his appointment as chief executive officer for Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji.
“Finally, after 13 long years, we get a chief executive officer with an open-door policy.
“Mr Cawaki is practical and down to earth; he has the industry support.
“He is one CEO who moves around the country to meet all stakeholders.”
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