SUNBIZ

Two New Ships For Maritime Communities

Government is getting two more ships for the maritime zone next year. This was confirmed to the Fiji Sun by the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Pio Tikoduadua. This, he
22 Oct 2014 18:23
Two New Ships For Maritime Communities

Government is getting two more ships for the maritime zone next year.

This was confirmed to the Fiji Sun by the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Pio Tikoduadua.
This, he said, was part of Government’s commitment towards improving the lives of those living in maritime communities.

He said one was coming in July next year and then they were looking at another one afterwards.
Mr Tikoduadua said the one coming in July next year is almost complete and is under construction in Malaysia.

The two new ships were in addition to the two that had already been commissioned early this year.
He said the absence of shipping vessels for some maritime communities had often delayed the provision of basic services and resources to these communities as they depended largely on this form of transportation.

In February this year, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama commissioned the new landing craft, Sigavou, at the Government Marine Wharf in Walu Bay, Suva.

The arrival and commissioning of the Sigavou marked resurgence in the fortunes of the Government Shipping Service ( GSS).
The Sigavou could carry cargo and 20 passengers and was purchased from Malaysia at a cost of US$2.6 million.
This 47-metre, 149-tonne landing craft is ideal for Fiji’s needs – with its two dedicated freezers and a forklift that can transport heavy goods and bring the produce of maritime communities quickly and efficiently to markets on the mainland.

The other ship is the Vunilagi, which costs $2.4 million dollars.
The Vunilagi carries 30 passengers.

These two vessels can carry large amounts of cargo.
The arrival of the two ships second year according to Mr Tikoduadua will be a big boost to those living in the maritime zone

Meanwhile he said the licensing for the routes had been standardized and would come into effect in mid January next year. It’s already been gazetted.

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