THE two new roll on/roll off ferries Guyana will be receiving from China are likely to dock here before Christmas, according to Chinese Ambassador Yu Wenzhe who paid a courtesy call on President Donald Ramotar, yesterday, at the Office of the President.
The ferries are at present anchored in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago, awaiting completion of the Parika Stelling overhaul that will make way for accommodation of the two large ocean going vessels.
The contract for the design and construction of the two vessels was inked in December, 2010, by Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn, and Economic and Commercial Councillor of the Chinese Embassy in Guyana, Huang Shaowen, who acted on behalf of Tongfang Jiangxin Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.
The pact followed a grant agreement between the governments of Guyana and China, in November 2009, for the design and construction of the two vessels for use by Guyana. The cost for the construction of the ferries is 89,520,000 yuan.
The ferries will complement the current fleet operating in the Essequibo River, improving the capacity of marine travel from Parika to Supenaam, which, in the past, had been a sore issue for commuters.
Optimism is high that there will be more trips between the islands in the Essequibo River, particularly Wakenaam and Leguan.
In anticipation of the two new vessels and improved transportation, about 6,000 acres of land is at present being developed for nontraditional crops at Aurora and Good Hope, Essequibo. (GINA)