Goundar Shipping Director George Goundar says he hasn’t received any letters from the Labour Ministry regarding the confirmation of an asbestos find on his vessel the Lomaiviti Princess.

Samples of suspected asbestos from the vessel were sent overseas for testing and according to a letter from the Labour Ministry to Goundar, they returned positive.

Asbestos is harmful as it can cause lung cancer if inhaled.

Goundar Shipping earlier said the vessel was safe and that asbestos was only present in areas that passengers weren’t exposed to.

However the letter says the samples have been confirmed to be white and brown asbestos.

The letter goes on to outline recommendations on what must be done to remove the hazardous material.

The Labour Ministry has advised Goundar Shipping that they’re prepared to assist them in the removal of asbestos in accordance with the approved code of practice.

The Ministry adds, all this must be done before the 28th of this month and failure to do so, will result in the issuance of appropriate OHS notice under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1996.

When contacted this morning Goundar said he hadn’t received the letter and therefore will not comment.

Questions have also been forwarded to the Labour Ministry but no response has been forthcoming.