‘Savusavu Shipping Company Ltd’ commenced fortnightly passenger and cargo services

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between Suva, Savusavu, Taveuni and via road link to Labasa in October 1978 with its vessel M.V ‘Tui Na Savusavu’.

In September 1982 ‘Savusavu Shipping’ also took over barge operator, Marine Pacific Ltd and their tug and barges and added further bulk freight services between Suva, Savusavu and Labasa using tugs and barges as a precursor to roll on roll off shipping services to the north.

In 1983 ‘Savusavu Shipping Company Ltd’ officially changed its trading name to Interports Shipping Corporation Ltd. after purchasing the M.V ‘Wairua’ from the New Zealand Government and started providing regular services to Rotuma Island. A further vessel M.V ‘Nivanga’ was acquired to offer services to Yasayasa Moala and the Lau group. These vessels also operated under New Zealand Government contracts between Tokelau and Apia as well as through the cook Islands until the late 1980’s.

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A merger between Interport Shipping & Wong’s Shipping Co Ltd to create Consort Shipping Line Ltd was established in July 1986 with the purchase of the 997 tonne roro pax vessel M.V ‘Spirit of Free Enterprise’, an ex Picton ferry previously operated by the Pacifica Group in New Zealand. The new service commenced regular twice weekly services between the ports of Suva, Koro, Savusavu and Taveuni.

This vessel was the first large ro ro pax to be operated in Fiji with a capacity of 600 passengers and main vehicle deck able to cater for 36 laden trucks per voyage. This roro facility paved the way for a direct trade link between Suva and Labasa by laden trucks via the port of Savusavu as well as linking Labasa with Taveuni and opening the trade of large volumes of copra and dalo from Taveuni to the mill at Savusavu and export markets via Suva respectively.

In 1998 Wong’s Shipping relinquished its shareholding in Consort Shipping Line Ltd with the company being fully acquired by Interport Shipping Corp Ltd.

In 2000 Consort Shipping Line sold the M.V ‘ Spirit of Free Enterprise’ and replace it with the acquired M.V ‘ Spirit of Fiji Islands’ which offered a greater level of facilities, comfort and space to our customers.

The Consort group of companies continue to provide regular cargo and passenger services via the M.V ‘Spirit of Fiji Islands’ on our original route as established in 1978 being Suva, Koro, Savusavu and Taveuni. Other services include the continued operation of tug and barge services on a charter basis for resort and construction contracts throughout Fiji and the Pacific.