New port board to be sworn in today

British Gas TT chief of staff, Derek Hudson, is tipped to replace Noel Garcia as the new chairman of the nine-member board.

Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union president Michael Annisette, Shipping Association president Sonya Voisin Tom and Ruth Van Lear are the only three members of the current board who are to be retained on the new board.

On Wednesday, Garcia disclosed that President George Maxwell Richards has signed the vesting order to split the PATT into three companies to improve the efficiency of the Port-of-Spain port’s operations. Those companies are the Port of PoS (cargo handling), Port-of-Spain Infrastructure Company (port infrastructure) and the TT Inter-Island Ferry Service (to manage the domestic seabridge).

Garcia expressed optimism that these companies would become operational in 2006.

Garcia also said the conventional ferry MV Sonia will end its service on the seabridge on February 11, 2006.

The lease on the Sonia ended on November 24 but a decision was taken to extend the lease until February, at will time the Sonia will be replaced by a dedicated cargo vessel.