Barge among 2 vessels to replace Galicia

Port Authority chairman Alison Lewis yesterday announced that The Atlantic Provider (Provider) will cost Government US$14,500 a day while The Transporter barge will cost between US$8,000 and $10,000, per day. The Provider is on a one-month contract with an option for an additional two to three months, “if needed”, while the contract for the barge, would a month, with an option for another, Lewis said.

There is a sailing scheduled for this Sunday. Lewis said the barge is already in Trinidad while the Provider will be here tomorrow.

These vessels are an interim solution and will remain in service only as long as it takes Government to select a medium-term cargo service provider. Longterm plans are to issue a tender for the construction of a vessel designed specifically to meet this country’s cargo needs as well as the physical conditions at the Port-of-Spain and Scarborough ports. Lewis spoke at a press conference at the Ministry of Works and Transport office, Richmond Street, Port-of-Spain. The tender for a medium-term provider closes on April 24, following which, Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan expects to have a vessel within six weeks.

At the press conference yesterday, Sinanan alluded to a possible lawsuit for breach of contract regarding the Galicia’s current 18-month contract, which was due to end in October.

“The Attorney General (Faris Al Rawi) will have to look into whether there was a breach (of contract) by the provider,” Minister Sinanan said. He added that there is an opinion from Dr Claude Denbow SC, that there was an agreement in place. The ministry had allocated funding, Sinanan said, the provider accepted terms and conditions and everything was going well) until we got a 14-day notice that the vessel would be withdrawn.

Contacted for comment, AG Al Rawi confirmed that Government is looking into possible breach of contract and he intends to provide a clear opinion on all contractual arrangements regarding the Galicia, very soon.