MANAGING Director of Guyana Port Inc. (GPI), Pritipaul Singh Jr., has said that the company is preparing to launch dredging and shipbuilding services, a US$40 million investment to support the nation’s maritime infrastructure.
Singh told the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, Kiana Wilburg, during a recent episode of the Energy Perspectives Podcast, GPI has invested between US$4 million and US$5 million since its formation in 2019 to provide services in the ship repair market.
“The range of services that we focus on are specifically within the ship repair market. That includes blasting, painting, supply of manpower, mechanical repairs, electrical repairs, hydraulic repairs, propulsion system overhauls. It covers a vast array of vessel capability services that we can provide to the local and international market,” he said.
With an ISO (International Organisation for Standard) certification and a strategic location 16 kilometres from the mouth of the Demerara River, GPI, Singh said, is a company that prioritises customer satisfaction and aims to establish itself as a place that people would want to visit again.
“It’s not just about delivering a service. It’s making sure that the client is satisfied at the end of the day,” he added.
Singh emphasised that the company strives to empower its workers to shape a sustainable future through maritime solutions.
“We invest approximately on an annual basis between US$100,000 and US$115,000 just on training. Right now, we have a staff complement of about 90 individuals. And with the new services that we are going to launch, which is dredging, we are going to add about 10 people,” he related.
Singh said too that GPI is increasingly prioritising quality management, and health and safety measures as integral components of its operational framework.
In light of the expected rise in demand for ship repair services in the oil and gas sector, the Managing Director said that GPI is collaborating with PMD Offshore Limited, a Ghanaian firm, to provide these services, and they are presently finalising an agreement.
He said that the GPI will be spending US$35 million to construct a 5,000 gross-tonnes dry dock.
“Our team at Guyana Port Inc. will build the dock in Guyana. It is going to be an 18-month process of building and working to start raise capital,” Singh added.
Additionally, US$5 million will be used to start dredging services. With the discoveries of substantial offshore oil reserves, there has been a growing demand for port facilities and maritime services to support increased shipping activities and logistical operations.
