MB Sandaka to operate between Guyana and Suriname from Thursday

The Management of the Guyana/Suriname Ferry Services yesterday announced that the M.B. Sandaka will be in operation between Guyana and Suriname from Thursday, September 26, 2019 until further notice.

A release from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure said that the Guyanese vessel will depart Moleson Creek Terminal - Guyana at 9:00 hrs (Check-in: 06:30hrs to 08:00hrs) and depart South Drain- Suriname at 11:30hrs (check-in: 08:00hrs.- 10:00hrs) - their respective local times.

The release from the ministry pointed out that the M.B. Sandaka cannot accommodate 20ft and 40ft containers and trucks with height and width in excess of 3 meters and 2.7 meters respectively.

Management regrets any inconvenience caused, the release said.

The disclosure comes in the wake of major problems with MV Canawaima which serviced the route and apparent differences between Guyana and Suriname on where the responsibility lay for taking action on repairs or a replacement.

On May 27 this year, the Management of the Guyana-Suriname Ferry Service, through the Department of Public Information (DPI), announced the suspension of operations from that day until further notice. Terminal Manager Gale CulleyGreene had told DPI that the Canawaima Ferry had been experiencing mechanical difficulties for some time and a decision was taken to have the vessel assessed and repaired. Government had expressed concern at the inconvenience to travellers while saying that this country had been funding most of the maintenance over the years. It had also noted that the vessel’s engine “had been limping for some time and [the ferry] was being towed by a tug” during its trips between the two countries.

On August 4th this year, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Karen Cummings expressed optimism that the matter would be resolved soon. She said that Guyana has always held up its end of the agreement in relation to the operation of the service.

“Speculation about the Government of Guyana taking on the obligation of entirely funding a joint enterprise of this type is erroneous. It is not in keeping with the bilateral agreement signed between the two countries that governs the obligations of both States regarding the operations of the ferry service. That agreement is still functional. There is no onus on Guyana to fund the replacement of the service either temporarily or permanently. The joint company has to ensure that the monies collected by or on behalf of the business are properly directed to defraying the expenses incurred,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had said in a statement following the suspension of the service.