Govt working on “iconic” Vreed-en-Hoop Port Development – President Ali

– similar project planned for Parika Stelling

As part of efforts to optimally utilise the limited port spaces along the Demerara River, plans are in the works to transform the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling into a modern port facility.
“We are now working on what we call the new Vreed-en-Hoop Port Development, where the old Stelling is; building out the architectural designs to see what can be placed there. [It will be] iconic. This is what we are busy doing,” President Dr Irfaan Ali disclosed on Friday afternoon at the sod turning ceremony for the $11.4 billion new West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

The Head of State was at the time speaking about the unprecedented development taking place across the region, especially the Vreed-en-Hoop surroundings, where the historic US$300 million Vreed-en-Hoop shore base facility was commissioned just last month, to support the country’s maritime and transport sector.
The Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase Inc. (VEHSI) facility, which was built by a consortium of local companies – NRG Holdings Inc, is viewed as a major step towards Guyana’s overall ambitions to become a regional transportation hub.
Similar to the Vreed-en-Hoop Port Development, plans are also afoot to construct a new Parika Ferry Stelling and Waterfront Development Project, which will effectively transform the Parika Stelling into a major regional hub for transportation and socioeconomic activities, and enhance operational efficiency, prioritise safety and guarantee commuters’ comfort.
Funds have already been set aside in the Public Works Ministry’s $9.9 billion River Transport budget for this initiative.
Additionally, monies were also earmarked to support the dredging of the Demerara River channels to ensure safe passage of larger ships as well as the removal of wrecks and obstructions from the Demerara and Essequibo rivers.
Only earlier on Friday, President Ali had underscored the importance of optimising the use of the limited “valuable” spaces and port facilities along the Demerara River to service Guyana’s shipping industry.

He made these remarks at the commissioning of two mobile harbour cranes – a US$14 million investment by local shipping competitors, Muneshwers Limited and John Fernandes Limited, to enhance port services in Guyana.
President Ali had lauded this joint venture as a win for local content in the country. But even as this collaboration was celebrated, the Guyanese Leader noted that his Government is not unmindful of the challenges facing the local shipping and freight industry.
“As the industry expands, we are seeing the deployment of increasingly larger and more complex equipment; equipment that challenges existing logistical capacities and necessitates the acquisition of new and improved machinery…”
“The short shortage of waterfront land is a real constraint for businesses looking to expand the port facility. The movement of cargo to and from and between terminals is increasingly hindered by congestion on the roads. Additionally, the limitations and the size of these vessels that traverse the Demerara Harbour continue to pose operational difficulties because of siltation in the channel,” he pointed out.
However, the Head of State went on to assure that these challenges are going to be met with solutions including financing in this year’s budget to support efforts aimed at addressing these issues.
Chief among the plans to address Guyana’s transport and logistics woes is the establishment of a deep-water harbour facility here, which is likely for the Berbice River area.
“Let me assure you, these challenges are going to be met head on. We’re committed to the development of a deep-water Harbour; a game changing project that has [the potential to] significantly enhanced our country’s shipping and logistics capabilities. Plans are also already in motion to dredge and deepen the Demerara harbour to allow for the passage of large vessels. Furthermore, we remain committed to providing necessary incentives for businesses that invest in freight forwarding and logistics, ensuring that they have the support they need to expand and modernise their operations,” he noted.
According to President Ali, the expansion of the local shipping and logistics sector is not just important for the country’s development but plays a crucial role in positioning Guyana as a regional transport and logistics hub.
In fact, Government has already set its eyes on targeting Northern Brazil, where Guyana has started building out the land infrastructure to access.
In recent months, Northern Brazil has been grappling with dry conditions that have affected its shipping channels and delaying container traffic by as much as three months – a situation that President Ali sees as an opportunity for Guyana.
“Now, how are we going to build an alliance with Brazil that says Guyana will be your transshipment hub? We’re investing in infrastructure to shorten your time to the Atlantic by at least eight [or] nine days. But here’s what we need; so, we have to have policy in supporting infrastructure from the state and then the private sector investment that will allow us to play that role for Northern Brazil. These are the things that are applicable to you in your line of business as we build out this economy,” he asserted.
In addition to port facilities and shipping services, the Head of State also pointed to the opportunities for investments at Lethem that could expand Guyana’s footprint into Northern Brazil.