Trinidad cabinet approves inter-island ferry to Eastern Caribbean

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — Minister of Transport Devant Maharaj has announced that the Cabinet has approved the establishment of an Inter-Island ferry service between Trinidad and Tobago and the Eastern Caribbean.

Speaking at a post cabinet press conference on Thursday, the minister said the service will be financed on a public/private arrangement with the majority of capital expenditure from the private sector.

He said it is hoped that the service be extended as far as Jamaica if not further. He said the price to travel on the ferry will be competitive, perhaps US$10. The ferry will be based in Port of Spain.

Maharaj said the service will “strengthen the integration movement between and among CARICOM countries and expand the free movement of people and capital”.

He said the service will bring tremendous benefits to Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean.

Maharaj pointed out that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had announced her intention to establish the service at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) heads of government meeting in St Kitts on July 1 of this year.

He said the initiative has the support of the prime minister of St Lucia, Stephenson King, and president of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo.

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27 Comments

  1. da massive
    September 24, 2011

    yeah and i guess all you will jump on the ferry with your sick relatives to trinidad when they are in need of immediate healthcare..dominicans too like to complain..even if the ticket is us10.00 all you wont travel cuz all you aint got money to support yourselves once you get to your destination..thats the real cuz of allu complaining so much..sll you will make your beloved pm rde that ferry..lets see..he will continnue to ride in those luxurious venezuela lear jet while all you make yourselves a good prospect as shack bate

  2. happy day
    September 24, 2011

    I wonder if that shoudn’t be US$100.

  3. Real PATRIOT
    September 24, 2011

    good idea,need that additional link with trinidad,will be cheaper to get goods in too

  4. trini_lucian
    September 24, 2011

    I believe that immigration in all countries participating in this venture realize the positives and the negatives and should there fore be as effective and efficient in the search and scanning of individuals and luggage to avoid promoting the drug and gun trade in the region……

  5. Kijana Romain
    September 24, 2011

    Crop over, TT Carnival, St.Lucia Jazz festival ah going alll

  6. Irie
    September 23, 2011

    Oh yes! I will batchay that boat for US$10, even if I have to help with de paddling…

    Look is now Dominicans will be hauling some big heavy ‘grip’ behind them, well stock up with everything that cheaper wherever they come out.

    I love my people, but Lord, oh Lord, Dominicans just don’t know how to pack light!

    • NatureBoy
      September 23, 2011

      Irie your comment was my laugh of the night. hahahahahahahah. I’d help with paddling too. lol

  7. Senior Citizen
    September 23, 2011

    Let us hope that this is not just TALK and NO REAL ACTION. We certainly need this ferry service VERY URGENTLY!!

  8. Kim
    September 23, 2011

    For US$10.00, slow, fast ferry… It does not matter… You can’t go wrong… It much better than TT$2000.00… So buy a pillow for TT$50.00 and cool yourself… I think its great step towards integrating Caribbean people…

  9. Anonymous
    September 23, 2011

    My vacation is in November, I hope the service will be ready by then

  10. gadakan
    September 23, 2011

    The correct word is aerophobia

    • Anonymous
      September 23, 2011

      thanks

  11. only
    September 23, 2011

    I hope that DA is going to be included in the transportation stops otherwise it needs to get another ferry going that goes to islands that the current french ferry doesn’t including Puerto Rico.

  12. September 23, 2011

    Good move to get people from one island to another at a cheap cost

  13. Fairplay
    September 23, 2011

    What we need is High Speed Ferry not a big slow old boat!!!

    • latche jr
      September 23, 2011

      u have to add a negative. i just cant understand

    • Anonymous
      September 23, 2011

      They already operate a high speed ferry service between Trinidad and Tobago. I doubt they would take a step backward on this venture. After all they have to compete against airline service. That seems like a no-brainer to me.

    • Crox
      September 24, 2011

      Thats right. SOmething like what the EDI offers currently from Guadeloupe to St. St Lucia includin DA and Martinique.
      That more looks like an old cargo boat to carry cocaine

  14. Dominican Traveller
    September 23, 2011

    This is welcome news and positive move towards true caribbean integration. When this service is introduced, i will be one of the first patrons and will traverse the entire region using this service to discover these islands and to spread the good news about caribbean integration and the CSME… :wink:

  15. ..........
    September 23, 2011

    and what about PM Skerro…hope he supports it also cuz i in dat!!!

    PS> bye bye LIAT :wink:

  16. possitive
    September 23, 2011

    Praises!!! i have always wanted something like dat, we too small not to be able to take a boat to travel inter island, eh eh, down for yu liat.

  17. Mr. Vigilant
    September 23, 2011

    Great move….. but I am just wondering how long will it take me from Dominica to Trinidad?

    • k
      September 23, 2011

      don’t care for ten us i in that

    • Crox
      September 24, 2011

      One wek I was told to go and one to return

  18. Snakey
    September 23, 2011

    This is a wonderful initiative and will definitely benefit both individuals and the countries involved in terms of aspects of tourism and inter island trading by individuals. We need more of the like of those to keep foster easier trading.

  19. Satelite
    September 23, 2011

    Nice move. At least some of us will be able to travel to T&T to purchase vehicle parts, among other things. LIAT some more competition up your tail.

  20. Anonymous
    September 23, 2011

    Great news… God alone knows how mush i hate to be in the air on a plane. I will use it, not because I cannot afford airfare, but because of my air phobia

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