Goundar Shipping Limited has suspended all its maritime shipping services for the next two weeks.
The directive came from Shipping Managing Director George Gounder after Fiji Ports Corporation Limited suspended his Port User Identification Card.
Gounder claims Fiji Ports towed his vessel away from the Port to allow for other vessels to berth. While doing this, they allegedly ran the ship aground.
Gounder says he was given the suspension letter this morning while trying to get to the port to check his vessels.
According to the letter, Goundar is suspended for verbally abusing the Harbour master on Tuesday and for unprofessional conduct.
“We had a few exchange of words, foul language because I was really upset to see my investment. With Ports, they don’t have any concern on how this big ships are and for Captain Lai, who is a master should know that large vessels need large area and more water to move around. We had a meeting yesterday, we came to an agreement that we’ll iron things out. So this morning I was surprised that I got a love letter from Ports suspending me for two weeks. The stand that Ports has taken for me not to enter the jetty that means my vessels will be suspended for two weeks until we get these things uplifted.”
Fiji Ports Limited Public Relations officer, Losalini Bolatagici says Goundar breached instructions given by FPCL and they will not tolerate it.
Goundar Shipping Limited has five vessels and provides maritime services to the Northern Lau, Kadavu, Lomaiviti and Vanua Levu.
