Guyana charts course as maritime, aviation hub with major infrastructure push

…as regional maritime heads meet in Georgetown

Guyana is positioning itself to become both a maritime and aviation hub as the Government continues to modernise the country’s transport infrastructure and strengthen its role in regional and international trade. This was outlined on Sunday by Public Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar during the opening of the Fifth Regional Meeting of Directors and Heads of Maritime Administrations (DMAR5), being hosted in Guyana for the first time. Addressing maritime leaders and officials from across the Caribbean, Indar said the Government has been pursuing a deliberate strategy to transform Guyana into a major logistics and transportation centre. “Because we want focus, we want Guyana to become a maritime hub, as well as an aviation hub,” the Minister stated. According to Indar, maritime transport remains critical to global commerce, noting that more than 80 per cent of goods traded worldwide are moved by sea.
He said the maritime sector influences economic growth, food security, environmental stewardship and regional resilience, making cooperation among Caribbean states increasingly important. The Minister noted that Guyana’s geographical position and growing economy place it in a unique position to contribute to regional development while strengthening its own maritime capabilities. To support that vision, he said the Government has embarked on a series of initiatives aimed at improving efficiency within the shipping and logistics sectors. Among those initiatives is the planned construction of a deepwater port and the digitisation of port operations. “The President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has outlined a comprehensive reform agenda that includes the construction of a deepwater port and digitisation of port processes to reduce bottlenecks and turnaround time for trade operations,” Indar said.

Port infrastructure
He also highlighted significant investments in the country’s port infrastructure, including dredging works along the Demerara Channel.
“In our drive towards increasing port efficiency, our Government, through the Maritime Administration Department, has invested in excess of six billion Guyanese dollars into dredging the Demerara Channel,” he disclosed. The Minister explained that the investment is intended to accommodate larger vessels and lower shipping costs by improving access to Guyana’s ports. He further revealed that work is ongoing to develop modern port legislation and establish an independent national port authority to ensure the sector operates in keeping with international best practices. According to Indar, the Government is also investing in maritime technology and security infrastructure, including radar systems, satellite monitoring capabilities and high-speed patrol vessels.

Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre
Additionally, he announced that the Maritime Administration Department will soon commission a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre equipped with modern technology and built to international standards. The Minister said Guyana is also expanding its capacity to monitor and protect its maritime domain, including efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. As discussions continue over the next several days, Indar urged delegates to focus on finding practical solutions to the challenges facing the sector. “We gather to discuss challenges and to develop solutions, not just the challenges,” he said. The DMAR5 meeting has brought together directors and heads of maritime administrations from across the Caribbean, representatives of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), regional agencies and industry stakeholders to discuss maritime governance, safety, environmental protection and regional cooperation.