Tristar Port’s focus on training Guyanese workers applauded

…as US Ambassador hails facility as Guyana’s new gateway for energy, trade

United States (US) Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot has highlighted the role of American engineering expertise in the development of Tristar Port on the West Bank of the Demerara (WBD) River, describing the facility as a major American investment supporting Guyana’s growing energy and trade sectors. Theriot made the remarks after visiting the facility on August 21. In a post shared by the US Embassy Guyana on Monday, she said engineering support from a Louisiana-based firm was helping to bring the project to fruition. “Phase One is already operational, delivering modern port infrastructure to Guyana,” Theriot said. She identified Tristar as a planned multipurpose hub that will support Guyana’s energy sector and regional trade, with future phases expected to increase container-handling capacity and logistics space. The Ambassador also welcomed Tristar’s focus on training and developing Guyanese workers, noting that it was significant to see expertise from Louisiana being applied to the project. Tristar Port is being developed about 1.5 kilometres (km) from the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara Harbour Bridge and is intended to support the country’s offshore oil and gas industry, as well as wider cargo movement. According to an article published by OilNOW on July 8, the facility is designed to provide faster cargo handling, reduce congestion and improve the movement of cargo to key transport routes. Its location provides direct access to the Demerara Harbour Bridge and Heroes Highway. The port is being developed in phases, with the first phase comprising 25 acres. A further 20 acres was expected to be stabilised by the end of the third quarter, while the full 65-acre facility is projected to be developed by early 2027.

Tristar Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Cristobal Schlaubitz previously said the facility was designed by Louisiana-based Case Engineering, which specialises in construction in swampy environments. The port’s infrastructure includes 90-foot concrete piles and a concrete platform designed to support heavy-duty operations.
The facility has a 500-metre berth, along with another 100 metres on an east-west berth, with plans for additional berthing capacity. Tristar also plans to deepen the port from about seven metres at low water to nine metres. Schlaubitz said the overall investment across the project’s phases is expected to reach about US$250 million. The company currently employs about 60 Guyanese workers and has indicated that it intends to localise most positions as the facility expands. OilNOW reported that Tristar is also planning to invest more than US$20 million in shore-based mobile harbour cranes as cargo volumes increase. The port is expected to support cargo handling for offshore operators while providing an alternative logistics route to more congested areas around Georgetown and the East Bank.