Consortium launches Caribbean ferry service
- dvadesign
- Jan 24, 2024
- 2 min read
Published: Trinidad & Tobago Guardian, – January 24, 2024
While the T&T, Barbados and Guyana governments form a new company to solve intra-regional travel issues among their countries, a consortium of Caribbean businesses is investing over US$50 million to roll out a similar service before the end of 2024.
At a news conference in Barbados to announce the launch of the private sector-led regional ferry company yesterday, Connect Caribe, Pleion Group Inc chairman and CEO Dr Andre Thomas said it will improve intra-island travel and boost tourism, commerce and agriculture in the Caribbean. Connect Caribe will operate a cargo service through T&T, Guyana, Barbados, Suriname and St Lucia. However, T&T and Guyana will not be part of its passenger service. Its passenger service will run routes from Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua.
Thomas said the project works alongside those governments’ plans to run their own intra-island ferry and cargo service to and from their countries. He said Connect Caribe has been in exploratory discussions with the Government. He said the planning was more advanced on the consortium side in terms of the stage of development.
Connect Caribe proposes to have three vessels to operate the routes, including an 800-passenger capacity vessel with 200 first-class cabins where passengers can sleep in rooms with bathrooms. They can also patronise onboard restaurants.
“And then, we have a fast ferry with a capacity of 435, and then we will have a dedicated cargo vessel.”
Travel Division president Judeen Scantlebury of JS Tours and Cruises in Barbados said the company proposes US$100 plus government taxes fare for round trips. However, she said the company will implement one-way fares so people can fly to and from the destination and use the ferry for one of their trips.
Thomas emphasised that the US$100 was a guide and would fluctuate, but they would come up with the actual fares when they ascertained the various taxes in the islands.
Thomas said the consortium was securing the financing to purchase and equip the vessel and is working with the Caricom Private Sector Organisation on the required regulatory framework. He said Phase I should create 270 jobs across all divisions and the headquarters.
