New Ferry Service Connects Caribbean Nations
Private Sector-Led Initiative
Private sector-led efforts to create a regional transport system interconnecting countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have given life to a new ferry service – Connect Caribe – promising not only passenger movement but the shipment of cargo.
Cargo Division
Connect Caribe says that the Cargo Division will be able to move light goods, e-commerce packages, and agricultural produce across the region significantly, plus heavy cargo on the main cargo route.
Complementary Services
CEO of Caribbean Israel Finance (CIF) and UN Peace Ambassador Andre Thomas is quoted as saying that the services that Connect Caribe will provide complement proposed initiatives by the Governments of Guyana, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago.
“We are in talks with the governments… there is a significant discussion on how to integrate and tackle this huge opportunity and problem. I believe that where there are problems, there are opportunities. There will be significant collaboration between the service that will be done by the governments and our service,” Thomas said.
Connect Caribe views this as a game changer in the transportation industry. It indicated that the three vessels can transport up to 8,000 passengers, cargo, manufactured goods, and produce.
It forecasts that during the last quarter of 2024, the first phase of the estimated US$50-million project will come on-stream, following which it will be expanded to new island routes in the Caribbean Sea.
Conclusion
Connect Caribe’s new ferry service is expected to make a significant impact on the transportation industry in the Caribbean, providing a reliable and efficient means of moving passengers and cargo across the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Connect Caribe aim to achieve?
A: Connect Caribe aims to provide a regional transport system that interconnects countries in the Caribbean Community, allowing for the movement of passengers and cargo.
Q: What are the key services offered by Connect Caribe?
A: The key services offered by Connect Caribe include passenger movement, cargo shipment, light goods transportation, e-commerce package delivery, and agricultural produce transportation.
Q: When will the first phase of the project come on-stream?
A: The first phase of the estimated US$50-million project is forecasted to come on-stream during the last quarter of 2024.
Q: Will the service be expanded beyond the initial routes?
A: Yes, Connect Caribe plans to expand the service to new island routes in the Caribbean Sea following the completion of the initial phase.