Guyana begins process to salvage sunken MV Barima
Key Points(5)
- The Guyana government has begun efforts to secure a specialised marine salvage contractor to recover the MV Barima, the passenger and cargo vessel that capsized and sank off the country’s northwest coast on July 18.
- The Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, through the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), has invited qualified firms with extensive regional salvage experience to submit Expressions of Interest for the recovery operation.
- The MV Barima is currently resting in waters approximately 13 to 15 metres deep, presenting a technically challenging salvage operation due to strong tidal currents, limited underwater visibility and difficult sea conditions.
- Interested companies must demonstrate the technical expertise, specialised equipment and operational capacity required to safely recover the vessel while preserving evidence that may assist the Commission of Inquiry established by President Mohamed Irfaan Ali.
- Contractors will also be required to provide details on their proposed salvage methods, environmental protection measures, key personnel, implementation timelines and health and safety systems.
The Guyana government has begun efforts to secure a specialised marine salvage contractor to recover the MV Barima, the passenger and cargo vessel that capsized and sank off the country’s northwest coast on July 18.
The Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, through the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), has invited qualified firms with extensive regional salvage experience to submit Expressions of Interest for the recovery operation.
The MV Barima is currently resting in waters approximately 13 to 15 metres deep, presenting a technically challenging salvage operation due to strong tidal currents, limited underwater visibility and difficult sea conditions.
Interested companies must demonstrate the technical expertise, specialised equipment and operational capacity required to safely recover the vessel while preserving evidence that may assist the Commission of Inquiry established by President Mohamed Irfaan Ali.
Contractors will also be required to provide details on their proposed salvage methods, environmental protection measures, key personnel, implementation timelines and health and safety systems.
The selected contractor must also demonstrate the ability to keep the recovered vessel upright on a barge for several weeks after the salvage operation.
The MV Barima, which was regarded as one of Guyana’s most important passenger and cargo vessels, measures approximately 38.6 metres in length, with an 8.9-metre beam and a depth of 2.9 metres. The vessel is powered by twin Caterpillar C18 diesel engines and Caterpillar diesel generator sets.
The salvage effort comes as authorities continue investigations into the July 18 sinking, which is regarded as Guyana’s worst maritime disaster. The recovery of the vessel is expected to support the work of the Commission of Inquiry by helping preserve evidence related to the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Expressions of Interest must be submitted electronically to MARAD by the close of business on Friday, August 14, 2026.
Following an evaluation process, shortlisted firms will be invited to the next stage of procurement, which will include detailed technical specifications, site information and contractual requirements for the salvage operation.
