Cabinet to consider third passenger vessel

The minister yesterday reiterated the third vessel being sought, will ensure that there are always two passenger vessels operating on the seabridge. Sinanan said once Cabinet gives the Authority permission, the tender process for this passenger vessel should take between a month to six weeks to complete. He said this would not affect the schedule for drydocking either the Spirit or the Express.

Sinanan added that if this vessel is late in arriving, the ferry scheduled to drydock in June would be kept in service until the vessel is in TT.

On the search for a vessel to replace the Atlantic Provider and the Trinity Transporter, both of which were brought in when the Super Fast Galicia was pulled from the seabridge in April, Sinanan said no decision has been made as yet on three options being considered by the Authority.

He explained that while the Authority got permission to rent the Provider and the Transporter for three months, allowance has been made for the acquisition of a vessel within that period. Sinanan said daily rental fees for the Provider and the Transporter are US$14,000 and US$8,000 respectively.

The minister said all of the cargo vessels being considered have to undergo a series of tests and technical analyses before a decision is made to acquire one.

He said the Venezuelan vessel, La Caracola, is one of the three vessels. This vessel is reported to be 32 years old. Another option is a 19-year old cargo vessel from Europe. The third option is a Canadian vessel which can transport passengers and cargo. Responding to a question in the House of Representatives last Friday, Sinanan said a pre-action protocol letter had been sent to the charter of the Galicia.

He previously said the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs is examining the arrangement under which the Galicia was brought in under the former People’s Partnership government.