IN 1987, a 9000-tonne freighter was given as a gift to the Fiji Government by Nauru.
According to an article published by The Fiji Times on December 22 that year, the ship was used for opening trading links with South-East Asian countries.
Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara said Fiji was trying to forge closer diplomatic and trading links with these countries.
The ship, Cenpac II, worth more than $5million, was handed over to Ratu Sir Kamisese by the acting President of Nauru Buraro Detudamo, in a ceremony at Suva Wharf.
The article said a Fiji flag was hoisted on the vessel after the Nauru one was lowered during the ceremony.
Ratu Sir Kamisese said the ship would be refitted with changes to enable it to carry sugar and rice.
The ship was to be chartered to a private shipping company in a joint venture with the Government.
It was the first deep-ocean trading vessel owned by the Government and could carry about 7000 tonnes of cargo.
It was to carry back sugar, rice, fertiliser and other imports from South-East Asian countries The vessel was also the country’s flagship at foreign ports.
The ceremony was attended by officials of the Fiji Sugar Corporation, including officials from the Fiji Sugar marketing Company, Rewa Rice Limited and Visama Rice Limited.
According to the article, the 17-year-old vessel was built in Japan and previously owned by two international shipping companies before it was acquired by the Nauru Shipping Line.
The ship had been refitted several times and had certification as an ocean-going vessel until 1991.
Ratu Sir Kamisese acknowledged the Government of Nauru for the gift.
“Today we pay tribute to the government and people of Nauru who through their generosity have made the people of Fiji proud owners of our first deep ocean trading vessel,” Ratu Sir Kamisese said.
“Such generosity among Pacific peoples is a virtue deeply embedded in our traditions and culture which some find difficult to comprehend and not infrequently has led to misunderstanding of us on their part.”
Ratu Sir Kamisese said he had high regard for the President of Nauru, Mr Hammer de Robert, who was not able to attend the handover ceremony.
The ship was to be manned by a Fijian crew and locals would be trained to take over as captain, chief engineer and officers.
Ratu Sir Kamisese and invited guests, including Brigadier Sitiveni Rabuka, were later shown around the ship by its captain, Sateesh Saphre. Burns Philp Company was appointed as agents for the ship.