MV Kimbia to undergo repairs, new vessel being built to replace Lady Northcote

Georgetown, GINA, July 14, 2016

Cabinet has approved an additional $12M contract for rehabilitation and variation works and late day charges for the MV Kimbia. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon today made this disclosure at weekly post- Cabinet media briefing.

The Minister added that the contract which was awarded to Guyana National Industrial Company Incorporated (GNIC), also cater for the rebuilding and sourcing of a rebuilt engine for the vessel. Minister Harmon explained that though the vessel is old, it is very strong and, “they don’t make them like that anymore and so when you have to repair, sometimes you have to scout the world for the parts so that you can have them repaired and replaced.”

Further, the Minister of State noted that the MV Kimbia is very important and valuable because it moves cargo and personnel, from Georgetown to Region One, Mabaruma and along the Berbice River.

Additionally, the Minister reminded media operatives that the government was searching worldwide to find a vessel to replace the Lady Northcote, which travels through the Demerara River from Georgetown to Mabaruma.

The search has come to an end as there has been a commitment by India to build a vessel to replace the Lady Northcote. Work has already commenced on the new vessel that has to be specifically built for the waters along the Georgetown- Mabaruma route which contains both salt and fresh water.

The construction of the new vessel is being financed through a loan from the Indian Government.