The government today confirmed that travellers may use small boats between Guyana and Suriname with immigration processing at Moleson Creek and New Nickerie, as the two countries remain at odds over the resumption of the suspended Canawaima ferry service.
In a statement, the government said that two inspections conducted by Guyanese and Surinamese maritime experts found that the MV Canawaima could remain in operation until it enters dry dock within the next three months.
It said those conclusions were supplied in writing but the Maritime Authority of Suriname (MAS) nevertheless insisted that certain matters which were expected to be dealt with during dry-docking be addressed immediately.
“As stated previously, the responsibility for maintenance and drydocking of the M.V. Canawaima falls under Suriname,” the statement said.
The government said officials have been in daily contact with their Surinamese counterparts since the service was suspended. It added that while Guyana supports safe public travel, it is also mindful of the inconvenience caused to passengers and businesses.
According to the statement, an alternative vessel proposed for the route was rejected by MAS. Guyana is now seeking to propose another vessel while simultaneously pressing for the Canawaima to be permitted to operate, at least temporarily.
No date was provided for the resumption of the ferry service or for the vessel’s entry into dry dock.
The government, however, said immigration services remain available to persons travelling by small boats across the Corentyne River, an option commonly referred to as the “back track” route.
Travellers departing Guyana are required to report to the immigration office at the Moleson Creek Terminal before leaving and must report to the Immigration Office in New Nickerie upon entering Suriname. The corresponding immigration procedures must also be followed for the return journey.
The arrangement provides an alternative for passengers following days of uncertainty at the border.
Kiskadee Watch reported on Sunday that scores of travellers had been stranded on both sides, with some remaining in their vehicles because they feared losing their places in the queue. Passengers complained that little information was being supplied and said they faced mounting expenses for accommodation, food, fuel and alternative transportation.
Some families had children with them, while other passengers had employment obligations and limited access to Surinamese currency.
The present suspension followed conflicting announcements about the vessel’s condition. The Canawaima Ferry Service Inc and Canawaima Management Company NV had announced on August 14 that a restriction on the ferry had been lifted after an August 13 reinspection and that services could continue.
That announcement followed a warning from MAS that the ferry could be prohibited from sailing unless identified safety and technical deficiencies were addressed. The required work reportedly included attention to safety equipment, firefighting and detection systems, crew certification and an independent assessment of the vessel’s watertightness.
Despite the lifting of the restriction, the vessel was subsequently withdrawn and passengers were told that there would be no further trips until further notice.
The Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce has argued that the recurring disruptions demonstrate the danger of relying on a single ferry. It has proposed a two-vessel system which would allow one ferry to remain in operation while the other undergoes repairs or maintenance.
The Canawaima has experienced several service interruptions over the years, including mechanical problems in 2019 and an engine failure in 2022. Disruptions have generally resulted in increased use of the small-boat route.
The “back track” has operated for decades as an alternative crossing between Springlands and Nickerie, although its informal status and the failure of some passengers to use travel documents have long attracted concern.
The government’s confirmation that immigration processing remains available for small-boat travellers comes seven months after the Guyana Revenue Authority ordered the Golden Gloves Back Track Service at Corriverton and Eno’s Landing to cease transporting passengers and goods.
Stabroek News had reported in January that GRA officers had served the owners Mohamed Mursaline and Harrynarine Ramdass with letters ordering them immediate closure of the operation. Mursaline had said the decision had left scores of passengers stranded on both sides of the Corentyne River and placed the livelihoods of his 25 employees at risk.
The operation was temporarily reopened two days later after the GRA gave the operators permission to resume business pending discussions with the authority on the rules and regulatory requirements governing the service.
The small-boat route, which has operated for decades between Springlands and Nickerie, is widely used whenever the Canawaima ferry is unavailable. It remains an unofficial crossing, although immigration authorities have at various times processed travellers using it.
The government yesterday apologised for the inconvenience caused by the ferry shutdown and said everything possible was being done to restore the service.
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