GOUNDAR Shipping Services will sell three of its ships this year as it adjusts to the ongoing downturn in the industry.
This was confirmed by company director, George Goundar, who says the future of inter-island shipping in Fiji is bleak.
Mr Goundar warns of the deepening challenges that threaten services to the maritime islands.
He said the shipping industry in Fiji was ‘slowly dying’, citing rising operational costs and declining business, as major reasons.
“We have hard times ahead of us,” he said.
“The industry is dying out. I feel sorry for the outer islands. They are suffering.”
Mr Goundar claims business has dropped by 30 per cent over the past four years, placing further strain on shipping operators already grappling with increasing prices.
“Ships are bigger, fuel costs and labour costs have gone up.
“If you see the ships behind us, most of them are running empty.”
He said some members of the public blamed Goundar Shipping for being expensive but stressed that the high cost of operating vessels could not be ignored.
“Yes, it’s expensive. Running ships are expensive.”
Mr Goundar said Government intervention was necessary, urging authorities to take a closer look at the shipping sector and introduce measures to improve its operations and sustainability.
Goundar Shipping currently operates a fleet of 14 vessels and will seell LP 1, LP 3 and its tanker in 2026.
Goundar Shipping Services director, George Goundar. Picture: LITIA RITOVA
