MINISTER of Transport and Hydraulics, Mr. Robeson Benn, said on Tuesday that one of the Chinese new roll-on/roll-off gift ferry vessels, the MV ‘Kanawan’, has been in satisfactory operation for a month. He said it is operating mostly during the 12 hours of daylight time, and crew members are getting familiar with the ship and its handling characteristics on the Essequibo passage.

Giving an update since the arrival of the two ferries, Benn said the other ferry, the MV ‘Sabanto’, is moored at a wharf in Georgetown, but is expected to be introduced to the Essequibo service as well. Government is currently looking at some changes with the electronic characteristics of the engine, but things are moving along fairly well, so far.

Asked about the impact of the Kanawan on travel, he said there has been an increase in traffic, but he needs to check on the statistics. However, with introduction of the Sabanto, which will go into regular schedule, the service would improve dramatically.

Benn disclosed that more people are indeed travelling on the Kanawan, and both ferries operating will pave the way for upgrading the infrastructure in Essequibo, since it has been recognised that the roads are narrow.

He said two bridges are under construction, and the process of evaluation is underway for infrastructural improvement.

On September 11, marine transport between Regions Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) and Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) was taken to another level when the Kanawan made its first commercial trip from Parika to Supenaam with a total of 46 passengers, nine trucks, three canters, and two cars on board.

The Kanawan and Sabanto were delivered to Guyana by the Chinese Government in December 2011, but their sailing was delayed in order to accommodate modifications to the stellings at Parika and Supenaam.

Each vessel can seat 800, and has a decking capacity of 20 lorries or 44 cars, along with a modern VIP lounge.

The Guyana Government invested G$240.1M and G$138M for the construction of docking facilities at Parika and Supenaam respectively, to suit the two vessels after it entered into agreement with the Government of China to provide the two roll-on/roll-off ferries valued at US$14.4M.