The crewmembers that will man the new Chinese roll-on/roll-off ferries have completed about 60% of their training for operating the vessels and will soon start navigation exercises.
This is according to Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) General Manager Marcelene Merchant, who told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the crewmembers “are being trained to efficiently use the vessel’s radar, eco-founder, onboard communication devices and VHF…they will undergo their ship handling aspect of the training shortly in the Essequibo River.”
The People’s Republic of China donated the vessels, the Sabanto and Kanawan, which are valued at US$14.4M, to Guyana. They arrived in December. The ferries boast a VIP Lounge and other amenities to ensure passengers comfort. Each has the capacity to seat 800 passengers along with 20 lorries or 44 cars.
They are expected to be put into operation by month-end as construction work to accommodate them on the Parika and Supenaam stellings will be completed by then.
The vessels are “an enormous boost to river transportation particularly in the Essequibo district, as the last time such an intervention was made in terms of river transportation was in 1959 when the Makouria-class vessels came into Guyana, followed by the arrival of the MV Torani in 1962,” GINA said. Unlike the Makouria class vessels, the new ferries are fully electronic.
In recent years, billions of dollars had been spent to improve the services of the T&HD as heavy operational losses often occur due mainly to low tariffs, an over-aged fleet and competition from private operators. The acquisition of the new vessels initiates the first phase of the Public Works Ministry’s plan to retire the existing ferries which have been in operation for more than 70 years.
