US$5M pilot vessels commissioned to boost Guyana’s maritime capacity – INews Guyana

 

The PPP/C Government has taken a significant step to bolster Guyana’s maritime sector with the commissioning of two new ECO50 pilot vessels, Haiama and Haiakwa, valued at approximately US$5 million. This move is aimed at strengthening the nation’s maritime capacity to meet the growing demands of the oil and gas industry.

Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar, emphasised that the expansion of the Maritime Administration Department’s (MARAD) fleet is crucial in Guyana’s quest to become a regional hub for shipping and trade. He highlighted the need for more trained river pilots to support the growing maritime industry.

The two state-of-the-art vessels bring MARAD’s fleet to five, showcasing a modern, efficient, and environmentally responsible approach to maritime operations in Guyana. Minister Indar stressed the importance of safety on the waterways and encouraged pilots and engineers to maintain the vessels properly to ensure their longevity.

The PPP/C Government is committed to strengthening the maritime sector’s legislative framework with the establishment of a Port Authority Act to manage, regulate, and develop ports in Guyana.

The commissioning ceremony was attended by Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, Ambassador of France to Guyana, H.E. Olivier Plaçon, French Senator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces, Cédric Perrin, and Senators André Guiol and Olivier Cigolotti, Jeanne Mengotti from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Colonel Emmanuel Rigault, and other French officials. MARAD’s Director General, Capt. Stephen Thomas, Parliamentary Secretary, Thandi McAllister, and other stakeholders in the maritime sector.

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