Guyana working with Suriname to restore suspended ferry service
Key Points(5)
- The Guyana government says it is working with Surinamese authorities to resume ferry service between the two countries following concerns over the continued suspension of the vital cross-border link.
- In a statement Tuesday, the government said officials have been in daily contact with their Surinamese counterparts since the suspension began in an effort to resolve the issues preventing the service from operating.
- “The government wishes to assure the public that since the beginning of this suspension, officials have been in constant and daily contact with their Surinamese counterparts to resolve the issue and have the service resume operations,” the statement said.
- The latest disruption comes after Suriname’s Minister of Transport, Communications and Tourism, Raymond Landveld, ordered a comprehensive review of the cross-border ferry operation, less than a week after the neighboring countries agreed to resume the service.
- Landveld told Suriname’s National Assembly that the review would include an investigation into financial and administrative transactions over the past five years amid concerns about the management and oversight of the ferry operation.
The Guyana government says it is working with Surinamese authorities to resume ferry service between the two countries following concerns over the continued suspension of the vital cross-border link.
In a statement Tuesday, the government said officials have been in daily contact with their Surinamese counterparts since the suspension began in an effort to resolve the issues preventing the service from operating.
“The government wishes to assure the public that since the beginning of this suspension, officials have been in constant and daily contact with their Surinamese counterparts to resolve the issue and have the service resume operations,” the statement said.
The latest disruption comes after Suriname’s Minister of Transport, Communications and Tourism, Raymond Landveld, ordered a comprehensive review of the cross-border ferry operation, less than a week after the neighboring countries agreed to resume the service.
Landveld told Suriname’s National Assembly that the review would include an investigation into financial and administrative transactions over the past five years amid concerns about the management and oversight of the ferry operation.
The review is also expected to examine daily management, safety oversight, procurement processes and staffing.
Earlier this month, a sailing ban on the MV Canawaima was lifted after the Canawaima Ferry Service Inc. and Canawaima Management Company NV reported that the vessel had been reinspected and cleared to sail.
However, the Guyana government said the responsibility for maintaining and dry-docking the MV Canawaima rests with Suriname.
According to Georgetown, maritime experts from Guyana and Suriname recently conducted two technical inspections of the vessel and concluded that it could remain in operation until it enters dry dock within the next three months.
“Both countries’ experts concluded that the vessel can remain in operation until it goes into drydock within the next three months. Despite these assurances which were provided in writing the Maritime Authority in Suriname (MAS) insisted that certain matters which would have been addressed during drydocking, should be undertaken immediately,” the Guyana government said.
The government said it supports measures aimed at ensuring the safety of passengers but acknowledged the inconvenience the continued suspension is causing travelers.
Guyana said it had proposed using an alternative vessel on the route, but that proposal was rejected by the Maritime Authority Suriname.
Authorities are now seeking to propose another vessel while continuing discussions with MAS in hopes of allowing the MV Canawaima to resume service, even temporarily.
“Despite this, the Government is seeking to propose another alternative vessel to the Surinamese authorities, even as engagements continue simultaneously with MAS to ensure the current service can resume even on a short-term basis,” the statement said.
In the meantime, immigration services remain available to people traveling between Guyana and Suriname by small boats.
Travelers departing Guyana are required to report to the immigration office at the Moleson Creek Terminal for processing. Upon arrival in Suriname, they must report to the Immigration Office in New Nickerie. Similar immigration requirements apply when returning from Suriname.
“The Government wishes to assure the public that everything possible is being done to resume the service as soon as possible. We thank everyone for their patience and understanding and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience,” the statement added.
The ferry provides an important transportation link between Guyana and Suriname, facilitating the movement of passengers and goods between the neighboring South American countries.
