The shortage of seafarers is a concern for the Goundar Shipping Limited.

Executive Director, George Goundar says the company needs 100 sea farers to man his ships that are currently servicing the maritime islands.

Goundar says with five more ships to be added to its fleet this year, there is an urgent need for more sea farers.

I need about a 120 sea farers now, we are so short of employees. I’ve got about 20 Philippines here but I encourage the people, the seafarers of Fiji, the parents that this one industry is one that people shy away from is the maritime industry. I encourage the parents to encourage their kids that office jobs, and computers, sea farers is one of the well-paid jobs. Once you get educated in Fiji, overseas waits for you, so parents should encourage their kids to go into this industry.

The Goundar Shipping Limited is currently providing inter maritime shipping service to the Lomaiviti Group, Vanua Levu, and the Lau Group.

They also have plans to expand its service in the Central and the Western Division.