Private sector urged to form consortium to support vessel operations in Guyana

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday challenged the local private sector to form a robust shipping consortium capable of integrating into the energy support–vessel ecosystem, including supply and auxiliary vessels servicing offshore oil and gas operations. The President issued the direct call while attending the Annual Awards and Induction Ceremonial Dinner hosted by the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) at the Guyana Marriott Hotel.
In issuing the challenge, the President noted, “…we must be able to put together a consortium here in Guyana that can be part of the ecosystem in terms of the supply vessel and other support vessels to the operations,” he said, underscoring the urgency of the initiative. He added that the shipping and support-vessel segment is one of the first strategic mechanisms the Government intends to aggressively advance in the new year, citing rising demand and long-held doubts that have already been disproven in other sectors.
Referencing past national efforts that faced scepticism, the President noted that similar concerns surfaced during the formation of the national public health consortium behind Vreed en Hoop. He recalled that several specialised engineers had predicted failure, but the project was ultimately completed, strengthened, and placed on the global stage as proof of local competence.
Ali stressed that the current commercial climate offers no excuse for hesitation. Massive offshore operations, fabrication, logistics and pipeline-linked infrastructure now require an equally strong marine-support framework. He maintained that local businesses must collaborate quickly and strategically to take part directly in the shipping segment that underpins offshore production support, rather than remain observers to the flow of goods, services and equipment moving into the energy economy. The President again made it clear that the proposed consortium is not intended to substitute foreign operators but to complement them, expanding local economic impact. This, he noted, would keep the industry aligned with broader national pillars being built out alongside offshore production – where logistics and marine-support infrastructure serve as economic multipliers fuelling long-term stability.
Ali said bold national ambition must now match industry timelines. As exploration scales and offshore production intensifies, Guyana must secure local operating mechanisms in marine support, ensuring that private-sector collaboration moves rapidly from planning to implementation in 2026.

Expanding maritime sector
The President Ali-led Government has already signalled its commitment to expanding Guyana’s maritime sector. As the sector continues to expand with the acquisition of new vessels, Government officials are turning their focus toward increasing dockyard facilities for maintenance and servicing, a move Public Works Minister Juan Edghill announced on Friday during the commissioning of Guyana’s two new pilot vessels.
Back in October, Edghill emphasised the need for modern and efficient infrastructure to meet the growing demands of the maritime industry. “So apart from expanding the channels, we have to look at more efficient dockyards that will ensure maintenance is kept on schedule and that the demand being required is met. The partnership should grow and expand, which would ultimately grant MARAD (Maritime Administration Department) good success,” he stated.
The Minister revealed that within the coming months, several new vessels will be added to the national fleet as part of the Government’s plans to expand and modernise Guyana’s maritime transport network. “There are a lot of other things happening, and we’re glad that this partnership is evolving. We look forward to continued participation. What we have achieved over the last five years will soon pale in comparison to what must be accomplished now. In the next five years, the agenda is greater – broader in scope and impact. We need everyone to understand that Guyana is not just changing but has changed,” Edghill underscored.
A few weeks before this announcement, two new state-of-the-art marine pilot boats, Haiakwa and Haimai, were officially commissioned at the Transport and Harbours Wharf on Water Street, Georgetown, marking the fulfilment of a commitment made by President Irfaan Ali in 2023. Valued at over US$5 million, the vessels form part of a four-boat procurement programme and were constructed by renowned French shipbuilder OCEA. Built to withstand the challenging conditions of Guyana’s waterways, the Haiakwa and Haimai feature modern hull designs, advanced stabilisation technology and enhanced manoeuvrability, enabling pilots to safely guide large vessels in and out of ports, even during adverse weather conditions.
In addition to their structural advancements, both boats are fitted with specialised boarding systems that ensure the safe transfer of pilots, a critical component for operations in rough seas. They also support 24-hour operations and are equipped with cutting-edge navigation and communication systems, significantly strengthening Guyana’s maritime safety and operational capacity.