MV Kimbia and MV Barima to be seaworthy soon

…works 70% completed

Engineers have confirmed that the MV Kimbia and the MV Barima, at dry-dock for emergency repairs, will be completed on January 30 and February 3, 2021 respectively.

In a press release on Tuesday, the Ministry of Public Works informed the media that due to the severity of the defects on each vessel, the original dates of completion and for sailing could not be met.

Inspections conducted by the relevant technical personnel from the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) and external contractors on January 26, 2021 confirmed that over 70 percent of the works were completed.

In the case of the MV Barima, the critical parts were ordered last week and will arrive in Guyana on January 29, 2021. The Ministry stated that this is commendable since the usual delivery time is 3 weeks and it attests to the urgency given to repairing these vessels and getting them back on their routes.

The MV Barima was last dry-docked in 2017 and no further works were carried out until now, when the vessel suffered an engine failure.

Meanwhile, the MV Kimbia was dry-docked on January 15, 2021 to undergo emergency works as a result of deterioration of the forepeak bulkhead plating. As emergency works continued, it was discovered that the deterioration was more severe and had extended to other neighboring areas, thus requiring more repairs.

The MV Kimbia was last dry-docked in 2015 and was scheduled for a similar exercise in 2018 but this never materialized, until now.

“The Engineers and other technical personnel are working tirelessly to ensure that both vessels are seaworthy and return to their respective routes as quickly as possible but without compromising safety,” the Ministry stated even as it apologized for any inconveniences caused.