“Win for local content” – Pres Ali as Muneshwers, John Fernandes partner to enhance port services

…US$14M investment on mobile harbour cranes commissioned

Local shipping competitors, Muneshwers Limited and John Fernandes Limited, have teamed up to enhance port services in Guyana with the procurement of two mobile harbour cranes – a US$14 million investment that has been lauded as a win for local content in the country.
The two mobile harbour cranes were purchased at US$8 million, and another US$6 million was spent on joining the berths of the two shipping companies at their neighbouring Water Street, Georgetown wharf facilities, to accommodate the massive machines.
At the commissioning of the cranes on Friday, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of John Fernandes Limited, Philip Fernandes, said this acquisition is the first step in modernising Guyana’s port services.
Previously, vessels needed to come with cranes on board to the local ports, in order to load and off-load cargo – something that will change now with the two mobile harbour cranes – ‘Atlas’ and ‘Hercules’.

“They’re designed to serve Panamax class vessels… They have a working radius of 49 metres – that is, the radius that they can they can operate in – and then a lifting capacity of 125 tonnes… And for the first time in Guyana now, we can say that gearless vessels, which are vessels without cranes on board, can actually call at the port and be serviced, be loaded and discharged here in Guyana. This means faster and safer operations. So, this we see as a big win for Guyana, because it is a marked improvement to what we’ve always had,” he noted.
With Guyana boasting as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, Fernandes is optimistic about the business climate here, which is driven by Government’s support.
“We think this is a very most important first step in terms of modernising industry here in Guyana, and modernising our facilities for what can be anticipated,” he stated.
Through this partnership, Muneshwers Limited and John Fernandes Limited, a few years ago, had established Cranes Guyana Inc, under which the two mobile harbour cranes were procured.
According to Executive Director of Muneshwers Limited, Robin Muneshwer, these cranes will play a crucial role in the future of Guyana’s port industry.

“These cranes represent the future of the shipping industry in Guyana and the future of our respective companies and our combined will. The future beckons, and the future dictates that we cannot continue to operate the two busiest ports in Guyana in the busiest square mile of the country. So, we have been engaging the Government and our very forward-looking and progressive President on the path forward, which is to have a national port in Guyana – something that we were all committed to, and these cranes will be the harbinger of that future,” Muneshwer stated.
According to the businessman, the partnership between Muneshwers Limited and John Fernandes Limited is not just the first for the shipping industry but also an object lesson for the local private sector.
In fact, similar sentiments were expressed by President Dr Irfaan Ali, who hailed the joint venture as a win for local content in Guyana.
“The establishment of this joint venture signals the proactive approach our local businesses are taking to ensure that they remain competitive and relevant in the face of changing demands. I therefore wholeheartedly welcome this investment. It is a major plus for our country and for these two companies. It is a significant win for local content.”
“It is a significant win for local content, demonstrating the capability of Guyanese businesses to step up, innovate and expand their operations to meet the needs of the sector. This kind of initiative aligns perfectly with our Government’s vision for ensuring that our local businesses have a fair and substantial share in the wealth generating activities of the oil and gas industry,” the Head of State noted.
According to Ali, the establishment of Cranes Guyana Inc is demonstrative that collaboration is the way to go – local companies pooling their resources, expertise and capital to ensure a greater footprint in a highly competitive and capital-intensive industry.
“John Fernandes Limited and Muneshwers Limited have demonstrated leadership by forging this alliance, leveraging their long established expertise in freight and logistics to meet the evolving needs of our country. It is time for our local companies to embrace a new mindset, one that encouraged them to think bigger, act bolder and grow together. The rapid growth of our oil and gas sector and other sectors in our country demands a shift in perspective. No longer can businesses operate in isolation or remain content with small-scale operations,” the President asserted.
The Guyanese leader went on to say that his Government will continue to create the environment and provide the incentives for similar investments especially to position Guyana as a transport and logistics hub in the region.
The purchase of the two mobile cranes was financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and according to the IDB country representative, Lorena Solórzano Salazar, the financial institution will continue to support private sector development in Guyana.
“The courage, the trust and the faith demonstrated by both companies in forging such a partnership is truly commendable. Your unwavering commitment to this project will undoubtedly lead to significant improvements in efficiency within the transport sector and the logistics sector, overall, helping and supporting the economic growth of the country. As we celebrate this achievement, I wish to reaffirm the IDB group is dedicated to provide long-term support to the private sector in Guyana,” the IDB representative noted.