Guyana’s Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has added a major asset to its maritime fleet with the commissioning of the state-of-the-art motor tug Arau, a $790 million investment aimed at improving the safety and efficiency of port operations and marine commerce.
The vessel was officially commissioned on Tuesday during a ceremony held at the Transport and Harbours Department’s Goods Wharf on Water Street in Kingston. Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, led the ribbon-cutting and praised the addition as a strategic step in modernising Guyana’s maritime infrastructure.
Constructed through a collaboration between Dutch shipbuilders Damen and Guyanese firm Farm Supplies Limited, the Arau was delivered to Guyana aboard the Vertom Joy and officially handed over to MARAD on June 2. The tug has since undergone a two-week crew familiarisation period ahead of its deployment.
Designed for high-capacity towing and manoeuvring, the Arau is capable of handling vessels between 10,000 and 20,000 tonnes. Measuring 16 metres in length and six metres wide, the vessel becomes the second new addition to MARAD’s fleet in two years, following the commissioning of the $535 million pilot vessel Arapaima in 2023.
This new tug reinforces our commitment to developing a resilient, modern maritime sector, Minister Edghill said, noting that the investment aligns with broader efforts to boost port access, logistics, and tourism. He highlighted the ongoing refurbishment of the MV Kimbia, as well as procurement plans for additional vessels to support growing trade across key river systems such as the Demerara, Berbice, and Pomeroon-Supenaam.
He also noted the strategic importance of the New Demerara River Bridge, which is being built to allow uninterrupted vehicular and maritime traffic, supporting round-the-clock port access.
By the end of 2025, Guyana is expected to receive three more vessels to strengthen cargo transport capabilities along its major waterways.
MARAD Director General, Captain Stephen Thomas, and the agency’s Director of Legal Services, Thandi McAllister, also spoke at the commissioning, underscoring the significance of the new vessel in supporting national development and maritime safety.
The commissioning of Arau marks a significant step toward enhancing Guyana’s capacity to support expanding regional trade and maritime commerce amid rapid economic growth.
