$790M tugboat commissioned to improve maritime trade, safety

In a move that will further contribute to the modernisation of the country’s maritime sector, the Government on Tuesday commissioned a $790 million cutting-edge tugboat to improve trade routes and operational efficiency along the internal waterways. The newly commissioned tugboat, Arau, is a StanTug 1606 model supplied by Farm Supplies Ltd. Measuring 16.76 metres in length with a beam of 5.94 metres, a depth of 2.54 metres, and a draft of 2.25 metres, the vessel is engineered for high performance in demanding conditions. It is powered by twin C-18 Caterpillar diesel engines delivering a combined propulsion power of 894 brake kilowatts (kW). With a bollard pull capacity of 16 tonnes, Arau is capable of efficiently assisting in the maneuvering of ocean-going vessels ranging between 10,000 and 20,000 deadweight tonnes, further strengthening the country’s maritime logistics and port operations.
With the increasing size of ships that visit our ports, even though nothing has been taken away from the private sector and nothing will be taken away, we stand ready to support any emergency. The vessel carries a crew of six and is classed for operation in coastal waters. All of this came at a hefty sum to the Government of Guyana, $790 million.
It is ideally suited for towing, mooring, pushing and surveying operations, the latter being the task it will be deployed for until the dedicated hydrographic vessel is completed and delivered to the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) in 2026. At the commissioning ceremony, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, described the acquisition as a major step in enhancing Guyana’s maritime infrastructure.

He said that Guyana’s maritime sector has moved from broken-down, old boats, some lodged at the Mazaruni dockyard for years, prompting people to ask if they were scrap metal, to a fleet with vessels that can meet international standards.
“And while we’re doing all of that in terms of the big infrastructural improvements and enhancing the administrative architecture for the monitoring and management of the sector, MARAD has also been working with communities to enhance safety,” he said.
“Whether it’s in the Demerara River, the Berbice River, the Pomeroon River or in the Barima-Waini regions, we are ensuring that all the men who operate the water taxis are properly certified—and most importantly—that safety is upheld at every level.” He also highlighted that Guyana is engaging people who are serious about doing business.
On that note, he stressed that Guyana is creating an environment to ensure that when persons come to visit, the standards that should be upheld are in place.
“To the crew and all others who will be working in the sector and using these boats—let’s care for them. Let’s lift the bar of excellence. Our maintenance must be robust.” Edghill highlighted that these investments are a result of visionary leadership. He stated that these are not accidental. All of these investments are intentional and purpose-driven. Because the Government is not just advancing oil and gas—agriculture has been expanding, tourism is growing and so is the quality of Government services in hinterland communities.

Meanwhile, Director General of MARAD, Stephen Thomas, emphasised that the Government’s commitment does not detract from the essential role of the private sector. On that note, he encouraged the sailors to exercise vigilance and navigate the vessel with the utmost care and responsibility.
“With the increasing size of ships that visit our ports, even though nothing has been taken away from the private sector and nothing will be taken away, we stand ready to support any emergency,” Thomas said.
“This tug is based on the considerable knowledge and experience of Damen of the Netherlands, and the skilled engineers and craftsmen of their team in China, where the Arau was built,” he added.
“The crew, as I mentioned, you are trained and familiarised with the operation of the vessel. The vessel is now in your hands, and we expect that you will maintain it, operate it safely, and keep it sailing smoothly. Your job is to make this ship virtually unsinkable and indestructible. May God bless you as you navigate this vessel safely in our waterways.”