Goundar Shipping Limited (GSL) achieved a significant milestone with the launch of two new vessels, the M.V Lady Daya and the Motor Tanker Captain Lai. The event also introduced the company’s new fast ferry service, Goundar Fast Ferry PTE Ltd.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, the chief guest at the event, emphasized that these advancements are not just a milestone for Goundar Shipping but also for Fiji, enhancing its maritime capabilities and bolstering economic growth through improved connections between the islands.
“The M.V Lady Daya and Tanker Captain Lai, named in honor of the Goundar family’s parents, represent Goundar Shipping’s commitment to the people of Fiji,” the Prime Minister stated. He acknowledged the Goundar family’s longstanding role in the maritime industry, which has connected the islands and supported local communities.
He also paid tribute to the legacy of the late Narayan Sami Goundar and Captain Ilaitia Goundar, known as Captain Lai, highlighting their vision that laid the groundwork for today’s achievements.
Goundar Shipping Limited serves around 90 percent of Fiji’s population and has the largest fleet and crew in the country. The M.V Lady Daya aims to enhance transportation efficiency between the islands and stimulate economic growth through improved goods and services movement. The Captain Lai vessel, recognized as Fiji’s first locally owned, operated, and registered tanker, is set to transport fuel oil and dangerous cargo, providing new opportunities for local seafarers and enhancing their career prospects.
Prime Minister Rabuka also commended George Goundar and his family for perpetuating the legacy of Narayan Sami Goundar with dedication. He noted the significance of Goundar Shipping’s contributions to the maritime industry and their commitment to training future generations of seafarers, including women, which aligns with the push for gender equality in all sectors.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s dedication to supporting the maritime industry to facilitate the movement of people and goods across the islands.
Since its establishment in 2010, GSL has significantly expanded its fleet, introducing vessels like the Lomaiviti Princess II in 2012, the MV Lomaiviti Princess III in 2015, and others in subsequent years, leading to the recent addition of the MV Joseph P. Lomaiviti Princess XI and XII in 2021.