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alexk
Guest
If all goes well the Galleons Passage can begin servicing the seabridge before month’s end.
Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan said yesterday as he gave an update into the operations of the US$17.4 million vessel which was purchased to service the limping seabridge.
Speaking at a press conference at his Port-of-Spain ministry, Sinanan said the ministry and the Port Authority of T&T were awaiting inspection from Lloyd’s Register.
The vessel arrived in T&T on July 16, with a flag of convenience from Vanuatu, a small island in the Pacific. It docked at the Port of Port-of-Spain after its almost five-month journey from China.
“My information is that, (an inspection report) has been handed in on Friday. That is another step that has been concluded. As we speak, today, the inspectors are supposed to be back on the vessel doing some final inspections which we expect to be handed in by about Wednesday or Thursday of this week.”
This report, Sinanan said, will then be submitted to the Maritime Division.
“So we are in the process. It is ongoing and as I said we will have the vessel in service in the shortest possible time. So far, we have been able to accomplish two of the steps that have to be completed.”
Questioned if the travelling public can expect the vessel to make its maiden voyage to Tobago before month’s end, Sinanan replied: “If things go as planned, the answer to that is yes. However, these are reports that have to be done by independent institutions. We will not put the vessel in operation until all the procedures have been completed and the authorities are satisfied that the vessel is fit for purpose.”