Tobago Chamber calls for thorough investigation into Cabo Star fire

TOBAGO Chamber of Industry and Commerce president Curtis Williams is calling for a thorough investigation into the fire which broke out onboard the MV Cabo Star at the Port of Port of Spain on August 20.

In a statement, the Trinidad and Tobago Inter-Island Transportation Co Ltd (TTIT) said it is investigating the incident, which resulted in the cancellation of the service from Port of Spain to the Scarborough Port.

The TTIT said truckers and other port users will be advised as to when the service would resume. It said it regrets any inconvenience caused by the cancellation.

Almost a year ago, on August 23, 2023, a fire onboard the cargo vessel caused it to be pulled from the inter-island route for emergency repairs. It was temporarily replaced by a Venezuelan vessel, the Emprendedora.

At that time, Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan said the country could expect a new cargo ferry to service the seabridge in 18 months.

“Cabinet did take a decision some time ago to go out for a custom-built vessel to suit our requirements. We did consultations in Tobago with all the stakeholders. We do have the specs for that. We are finetuning that now,” he told reporters on September 22, 2023, after meeting with members of the chamber in Tobago.

Sinanan also said then that a tender for a new vessel would be out very soon in the newspapers, similar to what was done when the government acquired the APT James and Buccoo Reef passenger ferries.

On August 20, Williams described the latest development as disturbing.

“We are in a state of shock. We just can’t believe, coming to the anniversary of last year, I am seeing it again. It is very much disturbing to us,” he told Newsday.

“I think the Port Authority needs to do a thorough investigation on the cause leading up to this incident, because somebody has to be held accountable. Something is definitely wrong, and someone needs to be held accountable.”

Williams said the incident will affect truckers and other businessmen on the island.

“So we definitely have to start putting things in place as much as we can. We (the chamber) are going to follow up with some more information as to the way forward.”

He said members of the chamber were expected to hold a general meeting on August 20.

“I think our agenda item will be this Cabo Star situation.”

Williams said they also plan to meet with the Port Authority to discuss the situation.

He said businesses on the island lost between $7 and $10 million in the food and beverage industry as a result of the Cabo Star’s being out of commission last August.