Business leaders and academics from T&T, Barbados and Guyana all agree that the proposed regional tri-nation cargo ferry service which will connect the three Caribbean countries will boost business and trade.
A statement from the Barbados Coalition of Service Industries (BCSI) to the Business Guardian said that the proposed ferry service connecting Barbados, T&T, and Guyana will revolutionise travel and trade in the Caribbean, and holds significant potential for the services sector in Barbados.
“The challenge with regional connectivity via air link has had a negative impact on movement of professional services and leisure travel across the region. This proposed initiative will be instrumental in fostering regional integration and cooperation, while creating opportunities for businesses, individuals, and tourism. The ferry service will likely be an attraction for visitors from around the world, enhancing their experience of the Caribbean and invigorating our tourism industry which can lead to increased economic activity. Additionally, it will position Barbados as a strategic hub for commerce, facilitating trade and investment opportunities. The service will also enhance cultural and educational exchanges, promoting a vibrant regional community,” the statement said.
The BCSI’s statement also said they understand that there are several logistical issues that have to be worked out before the regional ferry becomes a reality. However, they are hoping that these can be expedited as quickly as possible to unleash the potential of this new regional connectivity which will allow people in the southern Caribbean to embark on a new era of unexplored interconnectedness, collaboration, and growth.
Guyanese President Irfaan Ali confirmed the project was going ahead at a signing ceremony or a new US$35 million Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge in the Upper Demerara- Berbice district on January 4.
Prime Minister Keith Dr Rowley spoke about T&T’s involvement at last week’s opening of the Phoenix Park Industrial Estate.
“Only recently you would have heard of the closing of discussions and a readiness to establish a regional cargo ferry service between Guyana, T&T and Barbados,” Rowley said.
He spoke economic benefits that will be derived from the inter-island ferry service.
“The outcome of such a transportation service can only improve our food security, stimulate production across the region, create jobs and support affordable prices of the many agricultural products, which we desire at our tables and in our hotels.”
Barbados Today quoted Barbados’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Kerrie Symmonds who said that civil servants were still examining a deal to link the three neighbours by sea. However, he said he hoped the service would start sooner rather than later.
“The proposal to initiate the regional ferry service is all about finding a way of deepening our regional cooperation in order to secure access to fresh produce, and commercial products for our communities in this area of CARICOM. It is a direct response to the challenges our people have been experiencing with regard to the escalating cost of living and to the challenges we as regional governments have long faced with regard to food security and high food import costs,” Symmonds said.
Winston Dookeran, a former Finance Minister under the People’s Partnership Government and former Central Bank Governor, told the Business Guardian that once the proposed inter-island ferry becomes a reality, it will have positive economic benefits.
“Increasing sea transport among these countries will be of great economic benefit, and will foster the ‘convergence space’ for economic activities. Some years ago, I promoted the convergence of the ‘Guyana shield’ countries and T&T and Barbados. If such a space is being developed, it may have larger economic benefits to increasing trade and development,” said Dookeran.
To determine how feasible this regional project would be, Dookeran said that technical studies must be done. He suggested that there be private sector funding for it as governments tend not to handle such projects well.
“The key question, however, is the financial viability of the project and how any operating deficit will be funded. Funding by governments has not, and will not be plausible, so the studies that preceded this decision must be clear on the financial aspect of this project. Otherwise, the commercial risk will render the project unsustainable.
“I am not privy to the studies, and the public should be aware of it, to instil confidence, or this may just be optics. Is this project the outcome of the joint commission, announced some time ago, between Guyana and T&T? What has come out of that Commission? Answers to these and other questions on finance will add light, and remove scepticism that is part of announcements by Governments today-the public has a right to know. “
International relations practitioner and Guyanese scholar Dr Raymond Kirton told the Business Guardian that the proposed regional project has great value.
“I think that if properly managed, the ferry can provide the basis for increased trade, provide the opportunity for more diversified exports by both countries, especially in the agricultural and agro - industrial sector. Easier and more reliable access can lead to higher levels of production, assist in job creation, contribute to the reduction of extra—regional imports as envisaged by the Caricom 25 by 25 project, which refers to reducing extra-regional agri-food imports by 25 per cent by 2025,
He also said it can also boost tourism among the states enhance cultural exchange and promote greater regional understanding
A retired Guyanese diplomat, who asked not to be named, also told the Business Guardian that feasibility studies must be done to determine if the regional project makes sense.
“There is a clear need for better air and sea links among Caricom states to facilitate increased and cheaper movement of people and goods. But has a feasibility study been done to assess the viability and economic benefits of a T&T-Barbados-Guyana route? It does not appear so. The danger here is that this is an initiative driven by politics rather than economics.”
He pointed to a ferry service which operates across the French and English- speaking Caribbean islands that works efficiently.
“There is an existing ferry service, offered by the French company, L’Express des Iles”, traversing the route Guadeloupe-Dominica-Martinique-St. Lucia. This appears to work quite well although it would be interesting to find out to what extent, if any, it is subsidised by the French Government. Significantly, no leg is longer than the two and a quarter hours between Dominica and Guadeloupe. Has anyone studied the French Caribbean experience and, if so, what lessons can be applied to the T&T-Barbados-Guyana proposal?
While T&T’s Prime Minister has suggested that the Galleons Passage will be one of the vessels to be used, the retired Guyanese diplomat questioned if the vessel would be the right choice.
“The distance between Port-of-Spain and Port Georgetown is 399 nautical miles, which takes a cargo vessel approximately 1.7 days, at an average speed of 10 knots. The Galleons Passage is not a fast ferry and would not be expected to top 20 knots. It takes four hours to sail from Port-of-Spain to Tobago. A rough guesstimate of at least 20-27 hours would be in order for the Georgetown to Port of Spain route.
“By way of comparison, the distance between Portsmouth, UK and Santander, Spain is 622 nautical miles and the ferry takes between 28.5 and 33.5 hours to do the crossing, depending on the vessel used. The ferries used are typically much larger than the Galleons Passage and offer cabins and recliner chairs to allow for the most restful experience possible.
“Is the Galleons Passage the right type of ferry for this route? Has a cost benefit analysis been done of its capacity to transport 60 cars and 400 passengers?”
