Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce wants clarification on status of suspended ferry service

The Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce today called for greater clarity regarding the status of remedial work on the docked MV Canawaima ferry that traverses the Guyana-Suriname route.

The ferry was taken out of service by the Surinamese authorities, leaving hundreds of persons stranded in both Guyana and Suriname.

In a release today, the Chamber said it is closely monitoring the temporary suspension of the ferry service and is particularly concerned about the impact on passengers, transport operators, businesses and the movement of goods between Guyana and Suriname.

The Chamber said safety of passengers and crew must remain paramount and noted that it respects the responsibility of the relevant maritime authorities to exercise the necessary caution in determining the seaworthiness and safe operation of the vessel.

“Given the importance of maintaining public confidence in the safety and integrity of the service, SGCC encourages the relevant authorities to provide greater clarity on the outstanding requirements identified by MAS, the findings of the subsequent technical evaluations, and the works now considered necessary for the vessel’s safe return to operation. Transparency around these matters would help the travelling public and business community better understand both the decision taken and the pathway toward resumption of service,” the Chamber noted in a statement.

In a statement over the weekend, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill explained that the Maritime Authority of Suriname had ordered the suspension of the MV Canawaima despite a view from experts of both Guyana and Suriname that the vessel could have continued operation until another three months until it goes into drydock.

The Chamber said in light of the uncertainty surrounding the issue and passenger’s unpreparedness for the suspension of the service, there needs to be urgent intervention and clarification.

“Additionally, there is an urgent need for a clear and coordinated way forward for the ferry service. SGCC would therefore welcome an update from the relevant authorities in both countries on the anticipated timeframe for the required works and return of the MV Canawaima to service; whether the present intervention will affect or accelerate the vessel’s planned dry-docking and maintenance; and, critically, what safe interim arrangements may be considered to preserve cross-border connectivity while the MV Canawaima is unavailable,” the Chamber noted.

The Chamber is also seeking clarification on whether a replacement vessel will be deployed, and said considers the present disruption to further underscore the need for a dedicated, appropriately inspected secondary vessel – and, ultimately, investment in a new vessel, to provide the redundancy that such a critical bilateral transportation link requires.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login