MV Canawaima sails on as Suriname rectifies issues raised by maritime authority

Aug 14, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – The MV Canawaima continues to operate without interruption following recent interventions to address maintenance concerns raised by Maritime Authority Suriname (MAS). Speaking to Kaieteur News, Deyne Harry, Terminal Manager at the Canawaima Ferry Service Inc., clarified the circumstances surrounding the regulatory scrutiny, confirming that Suriname has taken steps to rectify the issues and that the vessel passed its latest inspection.

Addressing public speculation, Harry clarified the origin of the regulatory action and dispelled notions of targeted sanctions against Guyana. “It was MAS Suriname raising concerns on, about the MV Canawaima and they had written to the Canawaima Ferry Service Suriname and not Guyana…” Harry explained.

He further detailed the division of operational responsibilities governed by the bilateral agreement between both nations. “…maintenance of the MV Canawaima is the responsibility of the Suriname side based on the joint venture agreement and so, Guyana fuels vessels, batteries, and also all of the oil. We have done so from day one without a problem,” he said.

Highlighting ongoing operational challenges, Harry noted, “… the maintenance aspect has been lacking. This is why we have had many closures and so forth over the years but it has been Guyana who in each of those cases sent personnel to take care of maintenance even though it wasn’t our responsibility. So, these infractions that Suriname would have highlighted happens to be the responsibility of the Suriname government to take care of.”

Tracing the timeline of events leading up to the recent regulatory notices, Harry disclosed that Guyanese authorities were initially unaware of the correspondence. “No, they were not known by Guyana and based on what was publicised, we saw that MAS would have written to Canawaima Suriname since some point in November in 2025 and they would have done a subsequent follow-up visit, I think that was approximately two weeks ago, to see if the concerns raised were being addressed, and discovered that they were not being addressed. As a result, they decided that they were going to take further action.”

It was only after the matter became public that Guyanese officials intervened to safeguard the cross-border transit link. “And only when it became public, that is when Guyana became knowledgeable of these interruptions and Guyana took the steps to meet with the Board of Directors in Suriname and also MAS so that we can ascertain what the minimum requirements would be that we need to have in place so that we can ensure continuity of service,” Harry stated.

Following those direct engagements, the required corrective measures were implemented by Surinamese authorities. “…and after they would have publicised what actions, they intend on taking, Suriname has taken steps to rectify most of those issues,” Harry confirmed.

Providing an update on the current operational status of the ferry following the latest safety assessment, Harry reported, “… there was an inspection that was conducted today by MAS and as far as I am aware, they were able to meet the minimum requirements which would be remaining in operation.”

Kaieteur News previously reported that the Maritime Authority of Suriname (MAS) issued a final ultimatum to Canawaima Management Company N.V., warning that the M.V. Canawaima ferry faces an immediate sailing ban starting 14^th August, 2026, at 00:00 hours, unless outstanding technical and safety shortcomings are resolved.

The directive, outlined in an 7^th August, letter reported by GFC Nieuws, follows a 26^th July request for an action plan based on an earlier vessel inspection. A follow-up inspection on 5^th August revealed that the majority of identified deficiencies remained unaddressed. MAS required a detailed action plan with a precise schedule for resolving all issues, executing major repairs, and dry-docking the vessel.

By 13^th August, there needed to have been full presence and operational readiness of all legally required safety equipment, as well as inspected, fully functional firefighting systems ready for immediate deployment. All crew members are required to possess valid Basic Safety Training and Crowd Management certificates, or provide written proof that training will be completed within one month and an independent, accredited ship surveyor must assess the hull’s watertightness and cofferdams. A positive survey report is required before any temporary exemption from mandatory dry-docking will be considered.

In response, the CANAWAIMA Ferry Service (CFS) Inc. and CANAWAIMA Management Company (CMC) JV acknowledged by way of a statement, the notices from Surinamese authorities. The Guyanese side confirmed it has been actively engaging Surinamese counterparts over recent days and anticipates a resolution.

Emphasising its commitment to the letter and spirit of the bilateral joint venture for a safe and seaworthy transport link, Guyana noted that under the terms of the agreement, it supplies all fuels, lubricants, and batteries for daily operations, while Suriname is responsible for the maintenance and dry-docking of the vessel.

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• Canawaima Ferry, ferry maintenance, maritime authority, Suriname

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