Published: The New York Carib News – February 5, 2024.
According to the investors, a proposed Caribbean ferry that would be run by the private sector would improve transportation, lower the cost of food imports into the region, and generate employment.
It was announced by the “Connect Caribe” ferry partnership that the project will move agricultural products, both heavy and light, throughout the Eastern Caribbean.
There would also be passenger service and more stations in the area.
By year’s end, Connect Caribe hopes to raise the US$50 million required to establish a cutting-edge regional freight and ferry service.
Three boats will eventually make up the project.
Among the vessels are an 800-person capacity big ferry, a passenger-carrying quick ferry, and a cargo ship that will first serve Barbados, Suriname, St. Vincent, and Saint Lucia before branching out to other nations.
The usual round-trip ticket, excluding different taxes and government levies, should be around $100 (US), according to information released during a news conference late last month.
The investors have made it clear that their project is unrelated to the plans of Barbados, Guyana, and Trinidad & Tobago to launch a new boat service between them.