The owner of Goundar Shipping Limited, George Goundar has confirmed that they will be laying off about 120 crew from tomorrow and could be selling their ships.
Goundar says they have two buyers coming in next week to look at their vessels.
He believes MSAF do not need the type of ships they have but prefer the fishing vessels converted into passenger ship.
He says that is the standard they want and there is nothing that Goundar Shipping can do.
Goundar says they feel for the travelling public.
Fijivillage is still trying to get confirmation from Goundar if they will comply with MSAF regulations or if they want to close business.
Meanwhile, a team at Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji with Goundar Shipping Limited have been reviewing the documents and are scrutinizing the Safe Ships Management system documents whereby Goundar Shipping are also being advised on the amendments.
MSAF Acting CEO, Captain Philip Hill says personnel from the shipping company have been involved in several meetings over the past few days with staff of the Authority as they work on improving and domesticating the documents the shipping company currently has.
Captain Hill says Goundar Shipping currently has 5 ships in operation and the documents cannot be reviewed overnight, as after the reviewing of the documents, they will then have to conduct mandatory individual checks on all operating vessels.
The ships in operation are Lomaiviti Princess, Lomaiviti Princess II, Lomaiviti Princess III, Lomaiviti Princess V and Lomaiviti Princess VI.
The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji is working closely with Goundar Shipping Limited in ensuring their business is back in operation soon.
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