Stellings to be customised to accommodate new MV Ma Lisha – Min Edghill

…vessel 70% complete, to arrive by year-end

In order to facilitate the new MV Ma Lisha that was procured to service the North West District region, the Public Works Ministry will be retrofitting stellings to accommodate the vessel.

Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill announced at a press briefing on Monday that the works will be carried out at Kingston, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma, and Morawhanna Stellings. A consultancy company has been recruited for the design, of which bids have been released for two of the said stellings – Kingston and Port Kaituma.
He has clarified that even if the vessel arrives and the works are incomplete, the operation can commence.
“While we have the roll-on/roll-off facility, we also have the facilities that could afford side boarding. So, at no time at all, the vessel would be incapable of discharging or accommodating vehicles and passengers. Along with this, the Government through the Transport and Harbour Department have to do some retrofitting and modifying of stellings to facilitate the roll-on/roll-off type vessel,” Edghill disclosed.
During the briefing, the Minister unveiled a model version of the MV Ma Lisha, which was launched during his visit to India last week. The US$12.7 vessel is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. It is 69.55 metres long, with a 13.5 metre beam. Designed to traverse the conditions from Georgetown to the North West District (NWD) it will cut travel time by 50 per cent, with a speed at 15 knots and 500 nautical miles endurance. It has a 250-tonne cargo capacity with a six-tonne capacity crane and will be powered by two engines. Passenger capacity is 294 persons, inclusive of crew members.
Debunking claims that the watercraft is a renovated one, Edghill clarified that it was built from scratch with specifications to meet the needs of people in Region One.
“The project that was practically stalled for five years has now come to fruition… What you saw was the hard surface moved from the dry dock into the water. Now that it is in the water, they have to put in the plumbing, electrical, and all of the other amenities for the comfort of the boat. Those are not things that you put in before the launching because it could be destroyed while you’re launching it.”
He furthered, “We need to debunk this reckless speech that some people are saying you’re getting a renovated boat…This is a boat that is being built from scratch, designed for the conditions that it has to operate in with specifications to meet the needs of the people in Region One.”
When it was launched last week, it was 70 per cent completed. All of the fittings, electrical installation, and plumbing will now be done. By October, the American Bureau of Shipping will be certifying the vessel. It will then take 45 to 60 days to arrive in Guyana.
He added, “Once those works are completed, we are required to send to India, two teams to India, for training. That will include the persons who will be operating the boat as well the mechanical and engineering people who would have to service the boat.”
The Minister added that he was quite satisfied in the level of professionalism and expertise demonstrated in the company that built the vessel.
“We were quite satisfied in the level of professionalism, competence, and skills by way of the contractual documents that were executed for the building of this ship; and that we would be able to get it completed in a timely manner in keeping with what was agreed on…We went to their shipyard. They’re building ships for the Indian Navy. It is one of the most impressive construction facilities that I’ve ever seen,” Minister Edghill told the media.
The Public Works Minister said this will be a game-changer for people in the North West. Spoilage of perishable goods will be eliminated since there is a refrigerated compartment and capacity for 10 containers.
“The issue of spoilage will be significantly reduced or totally eliminated because the boat also has a refrigerated cargo capacity or a cold that will be able to accommodate 43.98 metre cube of merchandise. Apart from the refrigerated cargo, we also have a cold room.”