GUYANA is moving full-speed ahead to becoming a major transshipment hub, as President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced that the first phase of the Parika Port Development is out to tender.
President Ali made this announcement during a recent public meeting at La Grange Village, West Bank Demerara.

The President told the large gathering: “The first phase of the Parika port development… is out to tender now. The first phase of the Parika Port Development, that’s going to allow us to ship directly from Parika to the Caribbean. That will allow the transshipment of containerised traffic, coming into Parika.”

Notably, the Public Works Ministry has allocated funds from its $9.9 billion River Transport budget for the project.
This includes dredging the Demerara River channels and clearing wrecks from the Demerara and Essequibo rivers.
Additionally, the upcoming regional ferry service will operate out of Parika, which is already a major port.
This is being done through a joint venture among Guyana, Barbados, and Trinidad & Tobago.

Last year, CARI Cargo Inc., the company responsible for regional ferry service, was incorporated.
The Galleons Passage, a vessel from Trinidad and Tobago, will ply the route. Operations will commence between Guyana and Trinidad initially, with plans to extend services to Barbados.

President Ali had also previously highlighted that there are ongoing discussions for a specialised ferry service with Aruba, catering specifically to the transportation of agricultural produce.
Given Guyana’s strategic geographical location on South America’s edge, it stands as the shortest and most cost-effective route for Brazilian exports through the Panama Canal.

As the President reflected on the plethora of developments that are taking place within Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), he highlighted the Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase, and the Gas-to Energy (GtE) Project, which are is bringing a range of benefits for all.
“Look at the investment. Two major shore base facilities. One completed, going to the second phase, the other one under construction. In this region, you will host 600 megawatts (MW) of power for the country. Two power plants. We will have an industrial hub, with manufacturing. You will have a fertiliser plant built in this region, to supply fertiliser for all of our agriculture needs in this country,” he said.

Guyana is positioned to emerge as a pivotal transshipment hub, fostering vital connections between South America and the global arena.
President Ali, last year, had met with DHL Caribbean executives, urging them to explore opportunities and extend services to northern Brazil from Guyana.

Given Guyana’s strategic geographical location on South America’s edge, it stands as the shortest and most cost-effective route for Brazilian exports through the Panama Canal.