A shipping line providing the only maritime freight link to Nauru, a tiny spec in the South Pacific, has been branded greedy by a government minister.
Neptune Pacific is the only shipping line linking Nauru to Fiji following Matson’s decision to pull out of South Pacific trades.
Maritime Affairs Minister Valdon Dowiyogo said freight costs are out of control, which is hitting consumers’ wallets hard.
The minister said Neptune Pacific had been greedy, taking advantage of its monopoly and ignoring complaints.
Dowiyogo said the government was looking at restarting its own shipping line to ensure its citizens are no longer ripped off.
Neptune Pacific is a member of Roll Global, which acquired the company eight years ago. The line links Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and other islands in the South Pacific.
Withjust under 10,000 residents in a 21 sq km area, Nauru is the smallest state in the South Pacific and third smallest state by area in the world.
