Word on replacement vessel soon

Reiterating that the Galicia will continue its sailings to and from Tobago over the Easter weekend, Sinanan said the short term period of two months between the time the Galicia ceases operations and closure of a tender to acquire a replacement vessel, is the period which must be immediately addressed ,

In this regard, he explained the ability of Inter-Continental to source a vessel for use within this period as one of many options on the table at this time. Sinanan disclosed that on Thursday, he toured the two naval vessels which could be used to transport cargo on the sea bridge ,

He said the vessels came down to the Port-of-Spain port for inspection ,

The minister said nobody is being “blacklisted” from participating in the tender and he hopes Inter-Continental would participate. Sinanan said while he understood concerns of the Tobago Chamber of Commerce about options to replace the Galicia, this was not a simple matter ,

The minister explained that acquiring a vessel to operate on the sea bridge is different from acquiring a new motor vehicle from a automobile dealership because the requirements are far different. Reiterating this was a situation which should never have happened in the first place, Sinanan explained that “a combination” of vessels may have to be used in the short term, until a proper replacement is acquired ,

— Reporting by CLINT CHAN TACK