–stellings being re-configured to accommodate vessel

THE $2.5 billion ferry that will ply the Georgetown to North West route is expected to be in Guyana by the end of this year, according to Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill.

The vessel, which was procured with funds from the Government of India, is being constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited.

“We are happy to report to you that work is ahead of schedule on this project. A team from Guyana visited India in November, and the report is that we should have this ferry in Guyana, ready for operation within the last quarter of this year,” Minister Edghill said during a press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Monday.

The respective stellings, as it is now, would not suit the design for the new ferry, so the facilities are being re-designed to accommodate the vessel.

“Both the Georgetown Transport and Harbours facility, the facility at Kumaka, Morawhanna, as well as Port Kaituma will be re-configured, and work is advancing on that to facilitate the new ferry from India,” Minister Edghill said.

Guyana received $3.6 billion for this vessel, and supportive infrastructure in the form of a grant and line of credit from the Government of India.

When the contract was signed in January 2021, Minister Edghill had said that the funds were available since 2015, but no contract was awarded. Construction of the new vessel will replace the aged M.V. Kimbia. (DPI)