MV Konawaruk 1899 ferry to boost trade, connectivity

Last Updated on Friday, 19 December 2025, 20:37 by Writer

The recently-acquired Greece-made ferry, MV Konawaruk 1899, which will ply routes on the Essequibo River, is expected to boost trade between Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Region 3 (West Demerara-Essequibo Islands), officials said.

Public works minister Juan Edghill told passengers, government ministers and other officials during the five-year old vessel’s maiden voyage from Parika to Supenaam that the government bought the estimated US$5 million vessel to move increasing quantities of cargo including rice, paddy and machinery among other items.

He said the vessel has the capacity to carry double the load of the Chinese-made Kanawan and Sabanto ferries and was acquired at a good price. “The price that we got for this vessel is really a deal,” he said.

Mr Edghill said adjustments were made to the mooring facilities for the much longer and wider vessel.

He said another Greece-made vessel would be arriving shortly to ply the Georgetown-North West route as part of a “new wave” of maritime transportation upgrade.

The Kanawan and Sabanto were acquired 20 years ago.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips, in his address, said Parika would emerge as a major port and command centre for regional trade with the Caribbean.

He said the ferry would contribute to punctuality and reduced spoilage of produce. “It is our investment in imperishable goods,” he said.

New cargo boats for the Pomeroon, NorthWest District are also on the cards, he said.