The MV Iloilovatu sailed on Wednesday to the Lau Group. Photo: RONALD KUMAR
By RANOBA BAOA
Government Shipping Services has allocated specific routes for privately- owned and government vessels under the Fiji Shipping Franchise Scheme to meet the demands of shipping services.
This follows the signing of contracts with the major shipping operators, except Goundar Shipping Limited, to take part in the scheme.
Designated routes
n Seaview Shipping’s MV Lady Sandy will service the Lomaiviti Group to Gau, Nairai and Batiki.
n Bligh Water Shipping’s MV Westerland will leave Lautoka on April 28th to service the Yasawas to Yasawa-i-ra, Waya and Viwa.
n Governement Ship MV Iloilovatu sailed on Wednesday for the Lau Group.
n Once MV Rogovoka is cleared to sail, she will service Kadavu and Rotuma
Permanent Secretary for Works, Transport and Public Utilities Commander Francis Kean said shipping had been disrupted because of a number of factors.
And Government had acted decisively in response towards these factors he said.
“A lot of these issues are beyond our control. Some of the vessels have had mechanical problems and the Lau Trader suffered a fire on board,” Commander Kean said.
“There have also been issues with delayed payments to the operators but 70 per cent of the outstanding invoices have now been cleared.”
The balance will be paid when the owners provide us with the necessary documentation he added.
Franchise scheme
The Franchise Scheme allows the deployment of private-owned vessels to service non-economical areas or meet the demands, as such, at the disposal of Government Shipping.
Under the scheme, Government allocated $1.5 million in the 2013 National Budget announcements last year.