Guyana deepens channels to accommodate Panamax, post-Panamax vessels

Guyana is upgrading its maritime infrastructure to welcome larger Panamax and post-Panamax vessels, a move that Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar says will lower import costs and support the country’s rapid economic growth.
This announcement was made during the opening of the World Maritime Day Exhibition on Thursday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, by Minister Indar, as the world recently celebrated International World Maritime Day under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity”.
Speaking about the need for deeper and wider channels, Indar explained the rationale behind the project.
“This aligns with Guyana’s own rapid development, where the inflow of larger vessels with higher growth tonnage is already placing mounting pressure on the infrastructure that we have. That is why we are expanding areas of the river inside, in terms of the width…. We are also deepening the channels so that they could accommodate the Panamax and the post-Panama type vessels.”
He emphasised that the channel expansion is not only about accommodating larger vessels but also about creating broader economic benefits, whilst highlighting the importance of local dry docking and maintenance facilities.
In fact, Indar also spoke about the human resource side of maritime development, stressing the need for skilled personnel to operate the vessels safely.
“But as we continue to develop Guyana’s maritime sector, we will ensure that our people are trained so that they can man these vessels that are coming here, very expensive assets, but we can man them, and we can do so safely and efficiently and in a cost-effective manner. The maritime sector in Guyana is not just striving. It is evolving into the most strategic enabler of national growth.”

Economic benefits
He outlined how the maritime sector ties into broader economic planning, including positioning Guyana as a hub for shipping and aviation.
“Similarly, we are tasked with positioning Guyana as an aviation hub, and we have to make sure that the maritime sector positions Guyana as a maritime hub, as a transhipment port, as a place where we can do industrial zones, packaging, reassembling, repackaging of containers, forward shipping, you name it, the whole gamut.”
On plans for a deep-water port, he added context on infrastructure development and trade potential.
“That is why a deep-water port has been on the horizon. Steady work has been done on the deep-water port that we intend to put in the Burmese area. The deep-water port will position Guyana and trade in a way that we have never seen before. That is why it is now driving the need for more infrastructure to connect Brazil to the shipping port in Burma. That is why the road has been built. That is why we have built out all of the bridges.”
To top it off, he also added the global maritime industry itself is on a growth trajectory, projected to exceed 4.2 trillion by 2031. And as trade volume rises, regulation and the need for it also increase.

Recognising workers
Finally, Minister Indar used the occasion to commend the men and women who keep the maritime sector moving. He highlighted the importance of seafarers, captains, and port workers who contribute not only to oil and gas but also to traditional industries like fishing.
“So today, on this occasion of the World Maritime Day, I would like to recognise seafarers and the hard work they do. The captains, all of the folks that operate not just in the oil and gas sector, but the captains of the trawler vessels, the small fishing vessels – those are all the different fabrics and the different folks that earn a living in the maritime sector. Port workers: there are a number of ports in Guyana, and more continue to cross the desk of the maritime administration. More proposals for the development of a port, landing facilities, and a whole host of other docking facilities.”

Regulations
He also stressed the importance of regulation, reminding the public that only the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has the authority to grant approvals for waterfront structures. Indar noted concerns over unauthorised construction and urged compliance with procedures while pointing to the role of port authorities and operators in expanding opportunities.
“Let me remind you that the Maritime Administration Department is the only one that can give you permission to operate by the waterside, to erect structures. And I know that we’ve been having a lot of folks erecting structures without the approval of the Maritime Administration. They are the only ones to give you the permission. And we should make sure that we follow the procedures there, whoever and wherever they’re doing it. But I want to continue on that line by saying port authorities and port operators continue to give more opportunities to Guyanese.”