The Malawi Shipping Company (MSC) has suspended until further notice operations of MV Ilala from Lake Malawi for scheduled servicing exercise.

Thomas  Chafunya , communications officer  for MSC has confirmed the development and said that the mother ship will be replaced by MV Chilembwe effective this Saturday.

While the announcement comes as good news that MV Ilala must be serviced, on the other hand it turns out to be a big blow to Likoma and Chizumululu Islanders who rely on the ship to ferry heavy loads and reasonable number of passengers when sailing between the islands and mainland.

The replacement of MV Chilembwe will see a reduction of passengers from 486 to 75. It also does not ferry heavy loads such as construction materials among others.