Plans moving ahead for CARICOM ferry service

The ministers with responsibility for Public Works and Transport along with other country representatives during the meeting in Trinidad and Tobago. (Photo: Ministry of Public Works)

Each country highlighted the progress and perspective in relation to getting the system operational, including forming a company to drive the process.

This company would comprise directors from each country to facilitate operations, the release noted.

This ferry service is important for tackling the challenges faced when transporting agricultural goods and intra-regional transport. Heads of Government within the region are resolute in achieving the regional food bill by 25% by the year 2025.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar and other officials from the meeting inspected the Galleon Passage, the vessel that will be used for the ferry service. (Photo: Ministry of Public Works)

Additionally, there was an inspection of the Galleons Passage, the vessel to be used, and technical officials agreed that other areas of importance are plant quarantine, sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Matters, immigration, and custom for the movement of people and goods for trade.

These are areas that representatives for each country said are already in place and can be adjusted to accommodate the ferry service. A system for pre-clearance was also proposed for implementation.

In Guyana’s case, there is an existing Guyana and Suriname Ferry Service arrangement to facilitate this commitment by President Dr Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley and Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley. Technical officials from Trinidad & Tobago will visit Guyana and Barbados within the next two weeks to inspect port infrastructure.

And the three countries decided that a follow up meeting will be held to identify and resolve issues and prepare an interim report on harmonising the progress on the immigration, customs, and plant quarantine, in one months’ time.

The team agreed to work constantly to make the ferry service a reality as soon as possible.