The liquidator tasked with the sale of what used to be the Lutheran Shipping company assets is yet to sell off eight of the ten remaining vessels.
The call for tenders closed on the 1st of August. The liquidators, Guinn PKF, have since sold off two vessels synonymous with Luship – the Maneba and Gejamsao.
The ships are now docked at Lae’s old Namasu wharf. They were sold to the Morobe coast shipping services.
The liquidators do not want to reveal how much they got for the sale. But the figure in the millions reflects how important the Gejamsao is for the Morobe passengers.
Since the announcement of the liquidation earlier this year, costs have gone up for the average sea traveler. A journey that used to cost about 100 kina to Finchhafen and the island of Siassi on the Gejamsao is now costing over K1000 with boat owners forking out 10 times more for boat fuel.
Luship may now be a thing of the past, but Lutheran Church faithful continue to express frustration over the management of the shipping company.
The poor financial state of the Church owned shipping company spurred numerous protests over the last 24 months by Lutheran parishioners demanding answers.
In 2013, workers went on strike over safety issues. Much of it has remained unresolved.
While there have been allegations of corruption and at least one investigation the church has remained tightlipped.
The Liquidator, Guinn PKF says they’ve received over 10 expressions of interest from potential local and overseas buyers for the eight remaining vessels.
Over the next few weeks they’ll be speaking with the buyers to negotiate pricing. But until, a shipping service is reestablished, the people of Morobe will continue to suffer.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=cZ411SaZfQw%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
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