Stabroek News

MV Kimbia sales off to northwest followin Ng dry docking

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Two weeks after being docked for rehabilita­tion work, the MV Kimbia yesterday returned to serve the North West District. The vessel departed from the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) wharf in Kingston with passengers for

Mabaruma.

Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill yesterday met with passengers as they prepared to depart.

Edghill, while apologizin­g for the inconvenie­nce caused, said that the MV Kimbia was scheduled to go into dry dock for repairs since 2018. He explained that the entire bottom of the vessel was rotten and had to undergo emergency repairs.

He announced that the MV Barima which has also been docked for remedial works is scheduled to be ready for service by tomorrow.

The minister noted that Transport and Harbours Department employees worked around the clock to meet the deadlines and have the vessel ready.

The MV Kimbia was dry-docked on January 15 to undergo emergency works as a result of deteriorat­ion of the forepeak bulkhead plating. As emergency works continued, it was discovered that the deteriorat­ion was more severe and had extended to other areas, thus requiring more repairs. The vessel was last dry-docked in 2015 and was scheduled for a simi but this never mater

The suspension approximat­ely 18 m sel was recomm APNU+AFC govern $488 million.

Rehabilita­tion wo by Courtney Benn C vessel was upgrade service to residents Two.

Last month, the US$12.7M contrac

ilar exercise in 2018 rialised. of service came months after the vesmission­ed by the nment to the tune of

orks were executed Constructi­on and the ed to provide better of Regions One and

T&HD signed a ct with an Indian company to commence the constructi­on of an ocean-going passenger and cargo ferry for the North West District and other parts of the country.

The contract was awarded to India’s shipbuildi­ng company, Garden Reach Shipbuilde­rs & Engineers Ltd (GRESL) at a sum of US$12, 733,403.

The vessel is expected to be delivered in the next eighteen months and will provide larger capacity for cargo, shorter travel times and safer and more comfortabl­e services to commuters.

 ??  ?? Minister Juan Edghill (centre) greeting passengers as
Minister Juan Edghill (centre) greeting passengers as
 ??  ?? they prepared to board the vessel yesterday afternoon
they prepared to board the vessel yesterday afternoon

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