Suriname chamber calls for new vessel

Aug 25, 2026 News

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…says suspension of Canawaima affecting businesses, passengers

(Kaieteur News) – The Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC) is calling for greater clarity over the temporary suspension of the MV Canawaima ferry service, warning that the disruption is already affecting passengers, transport operators, businesses and the movement of goods between Guyana and Suriname.

While stressing that passenger and crew safety must remain paramount, the Chamber said a reliable cross-border service must, first and foremost, be a safe one. The SGCC noted the conflicting positions surrounding the vessel’s seaworthiness. Guyana’s Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, recently said technical inspections involving maritime experts from both countries concluded that the vessel could remain in operation for three months pending dry-docking.

However, the Maritime Authority Suriname (MAS) subsequently determined that certain outstanding matters should be addressed immediately. The Chamber also cited a Suriname Nieuws Centrale report on an August 21 assessment by Marine Consulting & Survey, which identified significant corrosion requiring further examination and remedial work. The assessment reportedly found no leakage and concluded that the vessel could remain operational for three months pending dry-docking, while also identifying outstanding documentation and certification requirements.

Against this backdrop, the SGCC is urging the authorities to explain precisely what remains outstanding and why the vessel was subsequently taken out of service. “Transparency around these matters would help the travelling public and business community better understand both the decision taken and the pathway toward resumption of service,” the Chamber said.

The SGCC also raised concerns about passengers and transport operators stranded on both sides of the Corentyne River, many of whom are now facing unexpected expenses for accommodation, transportation, fuel and other necessities. The Chamber urged the authorities and operators to prioritise those affected and clearly communicate what immediate assistance or alternative arrangements are available, particularly for persons unable to sustain an extended delay.

It is also calling for a coordinated plan for the ferry’s return to service, including a clear timeline for the required repairs, whether the current intervention will affect or accelerate the vessel’s planned dry-docking, and what interim arrangements will be made to preserve cross-border connectivity.

Of particular concern is the absence of clarity on when a replacement vessel will be deployed. The SGCC said the disruption underscores the urgent need for a properly inspected secondary vessel and, ultimately, investment in a new ferry to provide the redundancy required for such a critical bilateral transportation link.

The Chamber further pointed to the existing arrangements governing the ferry service. The Canawaima Ferry Service Inc. was incorporated in Guyana, while Canawaima Management Company N.V. was incorporated in Suriname as its wholly owned subsidiary. The latter owns Transport and Harbours Department Inc. in Guyana and Scheepvaart Maatschappij Suriname (SMS NV) in Suriname.

According to a 2026 NCN publication referencing the Suriname-Guyana Joint Venture Agreement, Guyana supplies all fuel, lubricants and batteries for the ferry’s daily operations, while Suriname is responsible for maintenance and dry-docking.

The SGCC said the Canawaima is far more than a ferry service, describing it as an essential economic and social link connecting the two countries and facilitating trade, tourism, investment and the daily movement of people and goods. “Continuity, predictability and safety must therefore be considered together,” the Chamber said. The latest disruption, it added, reinforces the need for a sustainable, long-term solution to the Suriname-Guyana ferry connection. In February 2025, the SGCC advanced a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) proposal for the management of the Canawaima Ferry Service, aimed at supporting a more sustainable and reliable model for the operation of the vital cross-border link.

This newspaper reported recently that days after clearing a critical safety inspection by the Maritime Authority Suriname (MAS), the MV Canawaima was hit by fresh technical difficulties, forcing an immediate, temporary suspension of the cross-border ferry service. The suspension was announced in a public notice issued on 22^nd August,2026, by Terminal Manager Deyne Harry. According to the management of Canawaima Ferry Service Inc., the vessel was grounded after technical issues were detected on board. “Management is working assiduously to have these issues resolved at the soonest possible time,” the official release stated, adding that the public will be notified once operations are set to resume. Management also expressed regret for the disruption to travel and commerce along the Moleson Creek–South Drain transit corridor.

The sudden disruption marked a swift turn of events following assurances provided earlier this month. On 14^th August, Harry confirmed that the vessel had passed a follow-up inspection conducted by MAS after Surinamese authorities addressed key maintenance deficiencies. That regulatory intervention stemmed from an August 7 letter from MAS, which issued a final ultimatum warning of an immediate sailing ban starting 14^th  August unless safety and structural shortcomings were rectified. Outstanding issues had included mandatory crew certifications, functional firefighting and safety gear, and verified hull watertightness.

Under the long-standing bilateral joint venture agreement, Suriname holds operational responsibility for the maintenance and dry-docking of the vessel, while Guyana supplies all fuel, lubricants, and batteries. Harry previously noted that while maintenance has historically lapsed on the Surinamese side, Guyanese authorities stepped in during recent discussions with MAS and the Board of Directors in Suriname to establish minimum operational requirements and preserve the vital transport link.

Despite successfully averting the initial regulatory shutdown, the latest technical breakdown underscores the ongoing operational vulnerabilities facing the vessel. Passengers and commercial operators seeking further updates are advised to contact the Canawaima Ferry Service terminal at telephone number 654-1104.

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• Ferry Service, MV Canawaima, new vessel, Suriname chamber

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