Skip to content
https://kiskadeewatch.com/guyana/3-6b-awarded-for-demerara-shipping-channel-navigation-security-systems/

$3.6b awarded for Demerara shipping channel navigation, security systems

A four-company joint venture has been awarded a $3.615 billion contract to construct concrete leading beacons and provide vessel traffic and port security systems for the Demerara Main Ships Channel, according to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board’s published register.

The contract was awarded on September 24, 2026, and uploaded on September 25.

The successful joint venture comprises Lena Engenharia E. Construcoes, Proyectos E. Innovacion Cinco, Excel Guyana Inc and Latitude Geospatial Consultancy Inc.

Listed under the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, contract number 28/2026/34 was awarded through national competitive bidding. The register records four tenders or proposals.

The published entry identifies the contractor, price and procurement method but does not provide a construction timetable, detailed equipment specifications or payment schedule. 

The award follows an earlier procurement exercise for the project. On June 9, the Department of Public Information reported that the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) was re-tendering the construction of concrete leading beacons for the channel, together with vessel traffic and port security systems.

Leading beacons provide fixed navigational references to help vessels follow a safe course through a channel. DPI said the planned infrastructure formed part of efforts to improve navigation and the movement of commercial and other vessels. 

A separate invitation for bids for construction supervision of the beacon infrastructure and associated systems was published on DPI’s website on October 30. That procurement concerns supervision of the works, rather than the construction contract already recorded in the award register. 

The investment comes alongside dredging of the Demerara shipping channel. DPI reported on May 12 that MARAD had signed a separate US$11.2 million contract with Boskalis CPG Inc for dredging between Houston and Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara.

That project was described as covering nine kilometres of navigational channel, with a width of 100 metres and a depth of five metres. The ministry said it followed consultations with shipping industry representatives about improving access and port efficiency.

You reached the end of this article without encountering a paywall.

That is deliberate. We believe reliable journalism about Guyana should be available to everyone from the hinterland to the coast, including those who cannot afford to pay for it. But investigating, reporting and publishing every story takes time, energy and resources. Keeping our journalism open depends on the commitment of readers who can chip in and contribute to help cover the cost for everyone.

Please join the Kiskadee family by taking a subscription. Every contribution counts to our commitment to our journalists, to our readers, and to independent, public-interest journalism.

And please spread the word. One one dutty build dam!

Become a supporter