Updated: 7:00am – A newly designed multipurpose government vessel that’s currently being built in Malaysia is expected to arrive into the country next month.
The vessel will provide medical services to the maritime islands which will have an operating room, recovery room and a consultation room.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Parveen Kumar says the 15-member government delegation attending the Defense Services Asia Exhibition and Conference in Kuala Lumpur will be part of the official handover before it leaves for Fiji.
Kumar says this is the first time Fiji will have its own multipurpose vessel with a purpose of providing secondary health care services and quick relief response apart from carrying the usual cargos and passengers.
“The Ministry while undertaking the initial designs closely consulted with the Health Ministry and other relevant government agencies. We have continued with this process all throughout the construction of this new multipurpose vessel. Through the tender process Eastern Marine Shipyard company in Malaysia was awarded the contract for the construction of the government’s new multipurpose vessel.”
The $7.9m vessel can carry up to 56 passengers and be able to transport 300 tonnes to islands and be able to carry 200 tonnes of general cargos.
Kumar says the name of the vessel will be released when it arrives.
-FBC
