The government is optimistic that the two recently-acquired ferries from China will be plying the Parika–Supenaam route by mid-February as works to retrofit the Parika and Supenaam stellings continue apace and the training of a contingent of Guyanese sailors is ongoing.
The Sabanto and the Kanawan, the two Chinese-built roll-on/roll-off ferries arrived at Port Georgetown in December 21, 2011 and are presently docked in the city harbour. For the weeks that the vessels have been in Guyana, personnel from China and Guyana have been working on making adjustments and modifications and also carried out river and sea trials of the vessels.
Speaking with Stabroek News yesterday, Minister of Transport Robeson Benn said that while the cohort of Chinese experts that accompanied the vessels is set for departure early this week, it is expected that the further training of the Guyanese sailors and other crewmembers will continue over the next three weeks. Upon the arrival of the vessels, Benn explained that the training was important since the ferries are end-loading and thus the training and operational requirements are more sensitive compared to the Makouria-type vessels. This necessitated the need for training in their operation and handling characteristics for the local crews.
He said too that the training and other preparations are expected to be finished in time for the commencement of the ferry service in mid-February. He added that the works on the stellings will hopefully be completed by then to facilitate the berthing and operation of the vessels. “We are hopeful that they would be finished by mid-February,” he said.
Benn said that both of the vessels will ply the route between Parika and Supenaam. He said that they will not be going to Wakenaam, which will be serviced by the smaller, older vessels.
He said that while the draught of the new vessels is similar to the old ones, the new ferries will be operating on a tidal basis until it is determined that they could be run on a more standardized schedule. He also noted that the government is planning to resume dredging of the Essequibo River, where the vessels have to transit so as to allow for safe operation at any tide. The fact that the new vessels are faster than the old ones will have some bearing on the kind of schedule they are made to operate with, he further pointed out.
According to Benn, given the concerns about overweight trucks and the potential for damage to the stellings, a vehicle scale would be installed at the Supenaam stelling. He said that trucks with loads will have to be weighed and charged freight according to their weight. He added, however, that since government repaired the Supenaam stelling, there has been no major concern about weight.
Benn said that there was some concern about one of the ferries, which had some difficulty in starting one of the engines and generators. But he said that the kinks are being worked out, while describing the vessels as highly-computerized in their operation.
The new ferries have a capacity to carry 800 passengers, about 20 trucks or about 44 cars, depending on the vehicles loaded. They also carry a VIP Lounge and the necessary amenities to bring comfort to passengers.
