Guyana Expands its Tugboat Fleet to Enhance Maritime and Energy Operations

On Wednesday, G-Boats, a supply vessel company, unveiled two brand new tugboats at the G-Port Inc. wharf in Kingston, Georgetown. The newly launched vessels, A'RINRA and MADAM KALINA, will play a crucial role in supporting the operations of ExxonMobil, the oil and gas giant and operator of the Stabroek Block in Guyana. These tugboats will be responsible for towing or guiding larger ships, barges, and Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs) to their designated dock spaces. The names A'RINRA and MADAM KALINA were chosen through a competition organized within schools in Guyana.Two students, Raymond De Cambra from St. Ignatius Secondary and Kaylan Duncan from Brickdam High, emerged as winners after students across the country were invited to submit names and meanings for the two boats. The Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, officiated the christening of the vessels and emphasized their significant role in supporting the oil and gas sector. She expressed her belief that as a nation, Guyana possesses the necessary resources to foster equitable and rapid development. Minister Manickchand expressed her delight that the education ministry involved schools in the naming process. She acknowledged the students' contribution, highlighting that they represented all of Guyana's children, leaving a lasting impact on the vessels that will undoubtedly exceed expectations. According to Alistair Routledge, the President of ExxonMobil Guyana, the newly launched vessels serve as a testament to the special bilateral relationship that exists between Guyana, ExxonMobil, and the United States. Routledge expressed his satisfaction with the investment made by Edison Chouest Offshore and the John Fernandes Group in constructing and bringing the vessels to Guyana. He emphasized that these vessels play a crucial role in supporting the essential work required for the development of Guyana's natural resources. Acknowledging Guyana's abundant oil and gas resources, Routledge stated that ExxonMobil is honored to be involved in their development. He further emphasized that the tugboats symbolize the progress made in the oil and gas sector and highlight the partnerships necessary to achieve this development. G-Boats, a subsidiary of the global company Edison Chouest Offshore, specializes in providing supply vessels to oil and gas operators worldwide. As Guyana's energy sector continues to drive economic growth, numerous international companies, including shipbuilders like G-Boats, have shown keen interest in the country. These companies encompass FPSO construction firms as well as manufacturers of smaller vessels and ferries. Recent additions to Guyana's maritime fleet include the $535 million Pilot Boat Arapaima, which facilitates the transportation of ship pilots, and the $2.5 billion Motor Vessel Ma Lisha, a ferry serving the Barima-Waini/Georgetown route.

Source(Department of Public Information, 2022, Image: Department of Public Information )

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1 Jun 2023 09:00 | by anaraine

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