Guyana pushes to become regional maritime hub with deepwater port, expanded channels

Guyana is moving to position itself as a maritime hub for the Caribbean and South America, backed by plans for a Berbice deepwater port, wider shipping channels and new legislation to strengthen port governance, Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar said on Thursday.

Speaking at the World Maritime Day Exhibition at the Providence National Stadium, Indar said Guyana intends to capture a share of the global maritime industry, projected to exceed US$4.2 trillion by 2031, by offering facilities for larger vessels, industrial zones and container transshipment.

Work on the long-discussed deepwater port in Berbice is advancing, supported by new road links and bridges designed to make the facility financially and operationally sustainable. The government is also deepening and widening river channels to handle Panamax-type ships.

“These vessels are large vessels and because they carry larger volume, they carry on unit costs, unit freight costs. In that way, we can bring down the cost of importation, thus reducing prices on supermarket shelves for consumable goods,” Indar said.

The minister added that new dry docking facilities would cut costs for operators who currently sail to Colombia, Louisiana or other destinations for maintenance.

Alongside infrastructure upgrades, the government plans to modernise port laws and establish an independent Port Authority to align Guyana with global standards. “A reformed Port Act and the establishment of a independent port authority… will ensure transparency, accountability and world class efficiency across all maritime operations,” Indar said.

Guyana is also standardising port security systems to protect against contraband, while participating in regional discussions with port authorities from Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados and Central America.

Indar said the maritime expansion drive complements Guyana’s broader goal of becoming an aviation hub, with both sectors serving as anchors for industrial growth, trade and investment.

“Guyana remains strong, but we intend to make it stronger,” he said.