A
alexk
Guest
Two weeks after Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley announced plans to purchase two new ferries for the seabridge as well as a navy patrol vessel, two of Australia’s largest shipbuilders have submitted proposals to Government.
Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young made the announcement on Thursday.
Following his trip to Australia last month, Rowley said Government intended to purchase two ferries and a navy patrol vessel after talks with International Catamarans (INCAT) and Austal.
Young said a team from Austal came to T&T recently and inspected the four water taxis which were built by them.
They also examined six fast patrol vessels operated by the Coast Guard.
“During the time that they were here we received from Australia a comprehensive proposal from Austal for the provision of the fast ferries which the Prime Minister spoke about upon his return, as well as a cape grade vessel—a military vessel for patrolling the coast line of Trinidad and Tobago.”
He added: “Cabinet is setting up a committee to evaluate these two proposals and I have told both Austal and INCAT that we would like to invite them to Trinidad and Tobago within the next two weeks after the valuation committee have gone over their proposals to meet with our valuation committee and to go through the process because we want to proceed with those vessels as quickly as possible.”
Young said the 58-metre cape vessel is used by the Australia’s navy on its north and east coasts.
“It’s a vessel that can be built to specification with guns and holding bays if they pick up illegal immigrants. They are not the long range OPVs.”