A local shipping company believes newcomers to the shipping industry are to blame for the attempted overloading that’s been caught by authorities.

The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji stopped some vessels last week for carrying more than what they’re entitled to, leading to a hearing that’s currently underway.

Consort Shipping Manager Finance and Corporate Affairs Adriel Prasad says the procedure in which new companies are operating is to blame.

“Instead of shipping companies working hand in hand, and trying to stagger the schedules, what they’re doing is they’re mirroring everybody. The right way to go about it is to have a staggering schedule where everyone has an option.”

Prasad maintains that authorities must come onboard and assist the industry in this regard.

“We’re definitely hoping that MSAF comes into play in terms of regulation because really, there is no mechanism in place to regulate the schedules or the routes.”

Some shipping companies couldn’t be reached, while others have yet to respond to our questions.

Meanwhile MSAF says they’re dealing with the issue and have deployed officers Fiji wide to ensure ships carry their maximum load.