South Sea Cruises unveils Yasawa Flyer III and plans another fast ferry as part of an $80 million expansion
South Sea Cruises Group has revealed plans for a second fast-ferry investment, valued at about $11 million and slated for launch in July next year, while presenting its latest vessel, Yasawa Flyer III, a luxury 30-meter craft built for around $14 million. The announcements come as the group advances an $80 million expansion led by its Fijian Holdings Ltd. parent company, aimed at boosting tourism and strengthening inter-island connectivity for local communities.
Yasawa Flyer III was unveiled at a ceremony and has since sailed from Brisbane to Port Denarau Marina, Fiji, with an all-Fijian crew aboard. The vessel forms the centerpiece of the Yasawa-Islands portion of SSCG’s growth plan and is expected to significantly increase capacity for both visitors and residents traveling between the Yasawa Islands and the mainland.
Brad Rutherford, SSCG’s chief executive, highlighted that Yasawa Flyer III is about 30 percent larger than its predecessor, Yasawa Flyer II, and can accommodate 320 passengers. He noted that this upgrade will provide substantially more capacity for the region and reaffirm SSCG’s long-standing role in connecting tourists with Yasawa experiences. A second vessel, designed to operate primarily in the Mamanuca Islands, is also in the works and will be slightly smaller, with a capacity of about 225 passengers, to support the broader expansion.
Rutherford framed the project as a strategic response to Fiji’s tourism forecast, stating that reliable access is a key driver of growth. He added that the company’s growth plan aligns with Fiji’s target of attracting around 1.25 million visitors in the coming years and emphasized SSCG’s commitment to being a pioneer and leader in tourism transport for the Yasawa and Mamanuca communities.
Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka welcomed the development, saying Yasawa Flyer III would unlock new opportunities across the Yasawas. He said the vessel would bring reliability and capacity that stimulate investment, spur growth, and support not only the tourism sector but also community life by ensuring safe and consistent access for local people.
Context and potential impact:
– The Yasawa Flyer III’s enhanced capacity and features are part of a broader push to modernize island transport, improve safety, and expand the reach of tourism across Fiji’s island groups.
– The planned second vessel for the Mamanuca Islands and the overall $80 million expansion aim to boost local employment, support homestays and small businesses, and strengthen ties between resorts and island communities.
– If timelines hold, the new services could help Fiji move toward its tourism goals while reinforcing the Yasawa and Mamanuca tourism economies.
Summary:
South Sea Cruises is advancing a two-pronged expansion: unveiling Yasawa Flyer III, a 320-seat, 30-meter fast ferry costing about $14 million, and planning an additional fast ferry around $11 million to launch in July next year. The move, part of an $80 million investment by Fijian Holdings, seeks to increase capacity, improve safety and reliability, and sustain Fiji’s tourism growth by better connecting Yasawa and Mamanuca island communities with the main tourism hubs.
What this means for readers and readers’ takeaways:
– Expect larger, safer, more reliable inter-island travel that could extend tourism seasons and increase visitor spending in Yasawa and Mamanuca communities.
– Local communities stand to benefit from improved access and potential ancillary business opportunities tied to higher tourist flows.
– The initiative signals continued confidence in Fiji’s tourism trajectory and a long-term commitment to island connectivity.
If you’d like, I can add a brief sidebar with key milestones (launch date for the extra ferry, delivery timeline for the second vessel, and expected operational start dates) and pull-out quotes for social media.
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