Sinanan: APT James ferry still expected by year-end

MINISTER of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan said the APT James fast ferry will arrive in Trinidad and Tobago by the end of December. He said it is currently in a “safe layover” in Malta, waiting for a winter storm to pass.

The vessel was scheduled to be completed by July and another vessel, the Buccoo Reef, by October. They were built by the Austal and Incat shipping companies, respectively.

During the 2020/2021 national budget presentation, Finance Minister Colm Imbert had said the APT James would “arrive soon” and go into service by the end of December.

It can hold 926 passengers and 250 cars and travel at 37.5 knots.

Sinanan said, “By February 2020, the progress on the vessels was on target to be finished by the agreed completed dates.”

But the onset of the covid19 pandemic caused delays beyond the government’s control, he said.

“Manufacturers still struggle to adjust. It remains unsafe in many parts of the world for factories to bring in a normal number of workers without specific consideration.

“Manufacturers face several related challenges as well, including material shortage and rising workers absenteeism.”

Sinanan said the “worst business fallout” has been in the form of continually stretched supply chain.

“Materials and equipment are low in stock and more difficult to source than usual. Logistics and shipping have been similarly affected as companies in the supply chain adjust to working safer during the pandemic.”

But he said despite these “very serious challenges, “The construction of the APT James has been completed and its sophisticated state-of-the-art fast ferry has been commissioned and is on its way to TT under its own power.”

He also said the Buccoo Reef, now expected to arrive in early 2021, is “virtually completed and is currently undergoing sea trials.

“These two sophisticated vessels will revolutionise sea travel between Trinidad and Tobago and fulfil a promise made by the PNM government to the people of Tobago to improve travel on the seabridge to the highest international standard.”

He said both ferries can transport people from Trinidad to Tobago, or vice versa, in less than three hours.