In the continued expansion of ferry services to Fiji's Northern Island group, Patterson Brothers Shipping are about to introduce two additional routes on its new ship, the Spirit of Harmony.

The first route is from Natovi (on the east coast of Viti Levu) to Savusavu and the second is Ellington to Nabouwalu. The latter route connects Ellington Wharf (near Rakiraki on the north-east tip of Viti Levu, with Nabouwalu, located on the south-western tip of Vanua Levu, Fiji's second largest island.

Earlier in 2007 a new vessel began servicing the inter-island routes Lautoka to Savusavu and Natovi to Savusavu routes, so the latest announcement has further increased ferry services to the North.

While this means greater flexibility for passengers (both local and tourist) and cargo, and improvement of quality due to competition, some ferry operators fear the increased supply of ships and routes will only be servicing the same pool of consumers. Combined with fuel price rises over the past few years, they feel that this could lead to some operators being forced to drop out, or to increase fare and cargo prices.