Canawaima sailing ban lifted; regular service resumes today

The Canawaima ferry service between South Drain in Suriname and Moleson Creek in Guyana will resume regular operations from today, Friday, August 28. Canawaima Ferry Service confirmed on Friday that the sailing ban on the M.V. Canawaima has been lifted and that service will resume immediately.

The resumption brings an end to a period of uncertainty for travellers, traders and other users of the official river crossing between the two neighbouring countries. The service had been temporarily suspended after renewed concerns emerged about the vessel’s technical condition and safety.

The interruption mainly affected people wishing to travel between Suriname and Guyana via the usual route. The transport of goods was also hindered. The ferry service is particularly important for passenger traffic, trade and the transport of vehicles and products for western Suriname and Guyana’s border region.

Canawaima ferry service available to travellers again

With the lifting of the sailing ban, passengers can once again use the crossing between South Drain and Moleson Creek. In its brief announcement on the resumption, Canawaima Ferry Service did not announce any new altered departure times. The organisation stated that regular ferry service is being resumed.

Earlier this month, the M.V. Canawaima had already come under increased scrutiny from the Maritime Authority Suriname, MAS. Following inspections, several safety issues had to be addressed. A previously announced restriction was lifted after a reinspection, but several days later uncertainty again arose over whether the vessel could be deployed.

The official river crossing between Suriname and Guyana is available again from August 28.

New technical problems led to suspension

On August 22, the service was again temporarily suspended due to technical problems on board the Canawaima. The matter subsequently led to consultations between Surinamese and Guyanese authorities on the conditions under which the vessel could safely return to service.

The Guyanese government reported earlier this week that experts from both countries had carried out technical inspections. However, the Surinamese authorities maintained that certain safety issues had to be addressed immediately before the vessel could sail again. Guyana, for its part, stressed that safety must also remain paramount. More information on those consultations can be found at the Guyana Department of Public Information.

Travellers stranded due to Canawaima sailing ban

Key News previously reported that travellers had been stranded by the situation and that Canawaima Ferry Service sought clarification about the reinstated sailing ban. According to the service’s management, previously imposed safety measures had been implemented. Also read the earlier Key News article on the stranded travellers and the Canawaima sailing ban.

The suspension did not only affect passenger transport. Various sectors warned of possible problems with the transportation of goods from Guyana to Suriname. Farmers pointed, among other things, to fertiliser and other supplies imported through Guyana. A prolonged interruption of the official crossing could therefore also have economic consequences.

Safety remains a point of attention for ferry crossing

Friday’s resumption follows reports from Guyana that the necessary technical inspections were successfully completed and that specific requirements of the Maritime Authority Suriname had been met. Permission has therefore been granted to deploy the M.V. Canawaima again on the route across the Corantijn River.

Technical monitoring of the vessel remains important. The Canawaima has been a key link in traffic between Suriname and Guyana for many years and is particularly significant for residents of Nickerie, travellers, entrepreneurs and people who regularly travel between the two countries. The recent technical problems have once again made clear how dependent official border traffic is on a single operational ferry.

Important connection between Suriname and Guyana

The ferry crossing also plays a role in the further economic cooperation between Suriname and Guyana. Both countries have expanded their ties in trade, tourism and infrastructure in recent years. A reliable connection via South Drain and Moleson Creek therefore remains important as long as no permanent crossing over the Corantijn River is available.

Canawaima Ferry Service has asked travellers to take note of the resumption of service. People wishing to travel to Guyana in the coming days are advised to check the latest information on check-in times and departures in advance. Any further announcements concerning the technical monitoring of the M.V. Canawaima will be made by the relevant authorities and the ferry service.