– President Ali says shipping must move from pavilion to centre field
WITH Guyana’s marine traffic quadrupling since 2020 and port infrastructure under increasing pressure, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has announced the crafting of a new Port Act and the establishment of an Independent Port Authority, both geared towards reshaping the country’s maritime future.
The President made the announcement during his feature address at the Shipping Association of Guyana’s Networking and Business Mixer, held last Tuesday at the Marriott Hotel, where he stressed that shipping is not a side player in the economy, but a central pillar to Guyana’s prosperity and ambitions.
“We want our ports to be competitive, reliable and future-ready. That is why we are designing a modern Port Act… It will govern the development, regulation and oversight of port operations in Guyana. It will ensure safety, efficiency and transparency in the maritime sector,” the President said.
PROFESSIONAL OVERSIGHT, MODERN LEGISLATION
President Ali explained that the Independent Port Authority will provide professional, impartial oversight, ensuring the sector operates at a standard that reflects a growing, globally connected economy.
“The goal is to ensure that oversight, regulation and operations are managed professionally, independently, and in the best interest of the country,” he said, adding that the legislation and regulations supporting the Authority will be aligned with international best practices.
Noting that the shipping sector has long played from the sidelines, President Ali encouraged the Association to take a more active role in shaping national development.
“For too long, the Shipping Association has played in the pavilion. It’s time you play at the centre of the field, and you can be assured that I will support you in doing just that,” he told stakeholders.
He also challenged shipping magnates like John Fernandes Limited and Muneshwers Limited, two major Guyanese companies, to form a joint venture called Cranes Guyana Inc., to lead the charge in public awareness and investment collaboration while urging others to follow suit.
The two shipping rivals merged earlier this year to leverage their expertise and capital together to create Cranes Guyana, a joint cargo and freight company to meet the growing demands of Guyana’s development. The entire project cost US$14 million.
The two moguls are working to build a $285 million port facility in Berbice, which is set to create some 1,000 jobs.
Speaking to the room full of shipping stakeholders, President Ali was candid in addressing the structural and operational constraints currently affecting the sector, including shallow harbours, inefficient port operations, marine congestion, and outdated regulations.
“Our ports cannot accommodate the large vessels that would reduce freight costs and increase trade volumes. We’re already addressing dredging—but deeper ports alone aren’t enough. We need system-wide reinvestment, especially in private ports, to prevent collapse and improve capacity,” he said.
On the issue of port efficiency, he was equally direct, “We cannot talk about becoming a competitive nation without addressing inefficiencies in our ports,” he said, pointing to the need for digitised systems, improved customs processing, and faster vessel turnaround.
Among the transformational projects outlined, President Ali highlighted plans for a deep-water port in Berbice, which he said will serve as a trade gateway connecting Guyana to Brazil, the Caribbean and broader South American markets.
“This facility will reduce export costs, create jobs and transform Berbice into a major international trade corridor,” he said, noting that work is ongoing with Bechtel and co-funded by Hess Corporation to finalise designs and supporting infrastructure.
The Head of State also flagged major opportunities in regional shipping, particularly in Regions One and Two, where access to Caribbean markets for seafood, fruits, spices and other products remains stifled by poor logistics.
To support these efforts, President Ali said legislation is only one part of the puzzle, revealing that infrastructure, private sector partnerships and government-led investments will be key to positioning Guyana as a maritime powerhouse.
“We’re committed to building a shipping and port infrastructure that matches the ambitions of our nation…Together, we can ensure that Guyana is not just a dot on a map, but a hub of trade, a gateway to the continent and a model for the Caribbean,” President Ali said.