Construction of 70m ferry earmarked for Region 1 on course for completion

…keel-laying ceremony held in India with Guyanese officials

Work is well underway on an India-funded ferry vessel earmarked for coastal and riverine areas in Region One (North West District), with reports coming out of India indicating that the keel has been laid for the 70-metre-long vessel.
The work on the “Ocean-Going Passenger cum Cargo Vessel” is being executed by Indian company Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE). In a statement, it was announced that the keel-laying ceremony was held in the presence of a delegation of both Indian and Guyanese officials.

During the ceremony, Chairman and Managing Director of GRSE, Rear Admiral VK Saxena spoke of the opportunity the contract presented to his company to leverage its experience and demonstrate its shipbuilding ability to the world.
“The success of this project stands dedicated to the untiring efforts of team GRSE and synergy among all stakeholders despite of the ongoing pandemic. This vessel aims to create a new benchmark in the field of passenger and cargo movement in Guyana.”
“This project is a harbinger for more cooperation between our friendly nations in the maritime domain in near future. GRSE is proud to contribute towards friendly bilateral relations between the two nations,” he also said.
Meanwhile, Director General of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) Captain Stephen Thomas expressed satisfaction over the progress of the project. According to him, the project is a testament to Guyana’s stable and longstanding partnership with India.
“This project is a distinct enterprise for the Government of Guyana designed to provide smart transportation of passengers and cargo. Catering to the needs of our people, the vessel will prove to be an efficient mode of transport for the passengers and cargo movement in Guyana. This cooperation with India’s leading shipbuilder GRSE, highlights our stable and long-term relationship with India,” he said.
Also present were Chargé d’affaires, AI, of the Guyana High Commission in India Ronalda Edwards-Horatio, as well as Directors of GRSE and other senior officials of GRSE and Transport & Harbour Department, Guyana.
GRSE bagged the order for this vessel on competitive bidding, and the contract was signed with the Transport and Harbours Department Limited (T&HD) of Guyana on January 13. The 70-metre long, 1700-tonne vessel will be propelled by 2 Caterpillar engines and twin-disc gear boxes to achieve a maximum speed of 15 knots.
Fuel-efficient, it is intended for the vessel to carry passengers and cargo in the coastal and riverine areas of the North West District of Guyana. The ship is designed to carry 276 passengers and 14 crew members, along with 14 cars, two trucks, 10 containers, and four refrigerated containers.
Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill had related earlier this year that the award of a US$12.7 million ($2.6 billion) contract to GRSE for the construction of the ocean-going passenger and cargo vessel to ply Region One (Barima-Waini) has saved Guyana US$2.8 million ($588 million).
The savings, he had stated, would be invested in the construction of new stellings at Morawhanna, Kumaka and Port Kaituma, North West District. At the time, the Minister had also posited that the design-build nature of the contract would provide the Ministry with the opportunity to review and approve every plan or drawing submitted by GRSE before construction of the vessel commences.
It also provides for the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) to travel to India periodically to carry out inspections of the vessel before payments are disbursed to the shipbuilder. Additionally, the training of pilots, engineers and other crew members on the navigational, safety and other aspects of the new vessel was also included in the project.
The new vessel will ensure that future travels to the North West District and other parts of Guyana are faster, safer and more efficient. Moreover, the vessel would be modern and built according to the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Classification Society and will meet every single requirement for maritime operations.
Funding for the ferry was sourced through a $3.6 billion combined grant and line of credit from the Government of India. (G3)