A private Barbados-based company is interested in investing US$20 million to develop a fast ferry service linking Trinidad & Tobago with the Eastern Caribbean.
Transport Devant Maharaj said Thursday cabinet has selected Fast Caribbean Limited for the service, which has been endorsed buy Caricom governments.
Transport Devant Maharaj said Thursday cabinet has selected Fast Caribbean Limited for the service, which has been endorsed buy Caricom governments.
Maharaj told reporters at the post cabinet news conference five companies first indicated their interest in providing the service.
However only two of them, Ostal and Fast Caribbean Limited, responded to the Request for Proposals in December 2011.
He said Fast Caribbean Limited was recommended following an evaluation of the proposals for the service, which is expected to begin will begin this year.
"Cabinet has approved that a negotiation team begin discussions with Fast Caribbean Limited with a view of implementing this fast ferry service throughout the Eastern Caribbean from Trinidad and Tobago," he said.
He said Fast Caribbean Limited was recommended following an evaluation of the proposals for the service, which is expected to begin will begin this year.
"Cabinet has approved that a negotiation team begin discussions with Fast Caribbean Limited with a view of implementing this fast ferry service throughout the Eastern Caribbean from Trinidad and Tobago," he said.
"The team is to comprised of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, the CEO of TITT, Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Nyree Alfonso, a representative of the Ministry of Finance and a representative of the Ministry of the Attorney General," he added.
The fast ferry will first serve Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Barbados and operate from its base in Port of Spain.
"Fast Caribbean Limited will charter from owners Montrose Global and INCAT a 112 metre wave-piercing catamaran similar to those operating the Trinidad and Tobago route.
The fast ferry will first serve Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Barbados and operate from its base in Port of Spain.
"Fast Caribbean Limited will charter from owners Montrose Global and INCAT a 112 metre wave-piercing catamaran similar to those operating the Trinidad and Tobago route.
"Their strategic partner will be Bay Ferries which also operates in Trinidad with the inter-island ferry. The service will cater for both foot passengers, vehicles of all types, and cargo," the minister said. He added that the company plans to allow Trinidad & Tobago citizens buy shares in the company.
Communication Minister Suruj Rambachan said the service will encourage intra island travel and open up opportunities for domestic and intra regional tourism, including student exchanges. He said the service may include a new type of tourism with families travelling on the ferry and taking their vehicles along.
Trade Minister Stephen Cadiz told reporters it would also provide trade opportunities between Trinidad & Tobago and the region. He noted that many shipping lines do not serve the smaller islands so the service could provide an opportunity for transhipment of cargo from the islands through T&T.
1 comment:
marine institute
Thanks for sharing the information,s that,s a nice post. I have been looking
information on the Fast ferry T&T/Eastern caribbean. This discussion has solve my concern .I am very
grateful . i am just site visit and very happy to stop here.
Post a Comment