Prime Minister Mark Phillips has indicated that Expressions of Interest (EOI) submitted by salvage companies for the salvaging of the MV Barima ferry must first be processed and evaluated before a determination is made.
Marine salvage contractors have until the end of today to submit their Expressions of Interest (EOI) to the Government.
At a press conference this afternoon, Prime Minister Phillips said once the bids are in, the process will move ahead.
“Today is the day for the submission of bids, and you know the process… the bids come in, then they have to go through the bids, they have to do evaluation and then determine who will get the contract, and then negotiate the contract. So, it is a process that has started and the process is ongoing to its finality,” the President Minister told News Source.
The MV Barima capsized and sank off the Essequibo Coast on July 18 with more than 175 people on board. The bodies of 73 people were recovered with at least 30 others still missing.
A total of 76 persons were rescued.
Opposition Member of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul has called on the Government to salvage the vessel without delay.
In a statement today, MP Mahipaul also called on the Government to release the names of the companies that submitted bid at the close of business today, together with the total bid sum submitted by each bidder.
“The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), under the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, invited qualified marine salvage contractors to submit proposals for the recovery of the MV Barima. The deadline for submission is today, Friday, August 14, 2026. The public is entitled to know, how many companies submitted bids; the names of every bidder; the total amount quoted by each bidder; the technical proposal and methodology being offered, where disclosure is permissible; and the proposed timeline for recovery,” MP Mahipaul said.
Additionally, he said the Government must also indicate whether it intends to award the contract on “a no cure, no pay” basis or through a direct financial arrangement.
MP Mahipaul said the vessel is critical to the investigation and must be handled with care.
“The recovery of the MV Barima is not an ordinary commercial exercise. The vessel is central to the investigation into one of the most devastating maritime tragedies in Guyana’s recent history. MARAD itself has stated that the salvage proposals must address the protection and documentation of forensic evidence for use by the Commission of Inquiry,” MP Mahipaul said.
He said the families of those who lost their lives, and the wider Guyanese public deserve nothing less than full transparency.
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