APT James to set sail before February

The new Tobago fast ferry, APT James, is anticipated to be in service by the end of the month.

Nassir Mohammed, communications manager of the National Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (NIDCO) said in an e-mail response to Newsday on Thursday that the ferry is anticipated to be in service before February 1.

Mohammed also said the lease for the Jean de la Valette (JDLV) will expire on February 1.

The APT James arrived in Trinidad and Tobago waters on January 8 after a 30-day trip from Australia.

The TT Inter-Island Transportation Company Ltd (TTIT) had to implement new measures for cargo, as the cargo vessel MV Cabo Star will be taken out of service for statutory maintenance in Curacao. The dry-docking will take from January 16-February 2.

In a release on its social media, the TTIT said during this time, vehicles up to 7,000kg will be accommodated on the TT Spirit and JDLV. “Overloaded vehicles and other vehicles with extensions will not be allowed on the TT Spirit or the JDVL," it warned.

Additional sailings of the TT Spirit will be scheduled on January 20 and 27, leaving Scarborough at 6.30 and departing Port of Spain from 4 pm.

“Users are advised that due to the unavailability of space and limitations on the vessel(s), there will be no storage of cargo on the port’s compound and flatbed operations will cease during the period,” said the advisory.

It also said priority will be given to food items, and vehicles without an accompanying driver will not be allowed on these passenger vessels.

Trucks and other vehicles will be required to park in the terminal yard at Port of Spain to access the vessels and all ticketing and check-in process will be facilitated inside the ferry terminal building.