More ferry services added to ease Christmas traffic

The Ministry of Public Works has moved to increase ferry services across key river routes to address heightened traffic and cargo demand ahead of the Christmas season, according to Minister Juan Edghill. In a video posted to his Facebook page on Sunday, Minister Edghill said the MV Malali has returned to service following dry-docking and is expected to play a major role in easing congestion, particularly on the Bartica route. “Speaking beyond transport’s capacity for the last several months, we’ve had the MV Malali in dry dock… it came out of dry dock just a few hours ago,” Edghill said, noting that he visited the Kingston Goods Wharf to ensure readiness. According to the Minister, ferry services to Bartica will be significantly increased to meet demand. “Rather than moving one boat per day, we’ll now have to start doing two boats per day,” he said. “The people of Bartica can expect double trips a day.” Edghill explained that the MV Makouria is already operating on the Bartica route and will be joined by the MV Malali, allowing for early-morning and midday sailings capable of transporting more than 50 vehicles daily.

He said the increased capacity is critical as major suppliers ramp up Christmas deliveries. “I know Courts has approached us, they have a number of things to get in, Banks DIH, all the suppliers and everybody,” Edghill said. In Region One, the Minister assured residents that transport arrangements are also being strengthened. “The Kimbia will depart tomorrow for Mabaruma,” he said, adding that the MV Barima will subsequently service Port Kaituma.
“Region One will be adequately served.”
Edghill urged persons seeking to ship goods for Christmas to monitor ferry schedules closely. “Please track the transport website because once the boat gets in, offload, they will reload and come down… and we’ll keep doing this all through until after New Year’s Day,” he said. Addressing services to Supenaam, Parika and surrounding islands, Edghill said temporary gaps caused by maintenance on the tug Hercules are being offset by additional vessels, including the Malalee and Makouria. He further announced that a new vessel, the MV Aris 4, is expected to enter service by the end of the week. “That new boat… could carry almost twice the amount of vehicles that any one of these other boats were carrying,” Edghill said. “It could carry about 80 plus vehicles.” Edghill said ferry capacity to Supenaam will effectively double once the vessel becomes operational. He also outlined ongoing infrastructure upgrades, including works at the Kingston Goods Wharf and the completion of stellings at Mabaruma and Morawhanna, with Port Kaituma upgrades expected before Easter. “Every effort is being made to improve adequacy of service, quality of service,” the Minister said.
Additionally, Edghill revealed plans to introduce Wi-Fi on all Government-operated vessels in the new year. “Latest, all of our boats and our vessels, we will ensure that passengers, the crew, have access to Wi-Fi,” he said, noting that the MV Militia is already equipped with the service.
He assured the public that the Transport and Harbours Department is committed to improving reliability and customer service. “The management has committed themselves to that… and we look forward to greater and improved service,” Edghill said.