Super fast boat service withdrawn from inter-island service.

[Flex]

'Galicia' being withdrawn from inter-island service
By Asha Javeed (Express).

NTERNATIONAL Shipping, the owner of cargo vessel MV Super Fast Galicia, has served notice to the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT) that it will be will be withdrawing its vessel on April 14.

The two-week notice makes the effective date Good Friday, which is a busy travel period between the ­islands.

The Galicia, a 13-year-old vessel which principally transports cargo between Trinidad and Tobago daily, has been on a month-to-month lease with PATT.

It began its inter-island ­ferry service on July 7, 2014.

The former People's Partnership government paid $48 million for an initial 12-month charter.

Since the charter contract expired, the Galicia has been on a month-to-month contract with the port.

Negotiations not going well for months

Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan confirmed to the Sunday Express PATT had received notice and that he had a meeting yesterday to discuss the situation.

He said he was not “surprised” by the action since contractual re-negotiations had not been going well for the past three months, but he was surprised 30 days' notice was not given to the port.

He said it was very “coincidental” it opted to give notice on the start of Easter weekend. But measures were being put in place to manage the situ­ation, he said.

Sinanan said he has called a meeting for Wednesday with all stakeholders to put in place a contingency plan for the long weekend.

He noted that two weeks ago, Cabinet granted approval for the ministry to source and purchase a new vessel.

“That would be the long-term plan to deal with this situ­ation,” he said.

The medium-term plan, he said, would be to find a replacement vessel tailored to suit the needs of the inter-­island ferry while the short-term plan would be to source a barge to transport heavier items like cement, sand and containers.

Sinanan's expectation is that this could be resolved in six weeks with little discomfort to the traveling public.

“We are comfortable that the situation will be handled and there will be no major disruption,” he told the Sunday Express.

New vessel

He noted that once notice was served yesterday, the port immediately put out advertisements to source brokers for a new vessel.

The plan to purchase a vessel dedicated to cargo between the islands was first conceived by the former ­Partnership government.

The Galicia was seen as a temporary measure which would be $10 million less than the lease of the TT Warrior Spirit. At that time, then-transport minister Stephen Cadiz had said a study would be conducted by the government to determine the size and capacity of a new vessel to be purchased.

The Galicia's voyage between the ports is about five and a half hours.

Sinanan said the issue of change of the board of the PATT in the last month did not impact on the Galicia.

Former PATT chairman Christine Sahadeo recently resigned. The other members of PATT board also resigned. She has been replaced by former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance Allison Lewis.

Sinanan said without the board, the management of PATT would liaise directly with the ministry so that daily business could continue.



The Galicia

[Flex]

Cabinet rejects Port Authority offer to renew ferry contract
By Ria Taitt (Express).

THE Port Authority wrote to Inter- continental Shipping Company Ltd (ISCL) in April 2016, informing the company of its intention to renew its contract for 18 months for the Super-Fast Galicia before the Cabinet had signed off on this decision, in what appeared to be a cart-before-the-horse situation.

The Cabinet rejected the Port Authority's recommendation for the 18-month renewal period.

When the contract with ISCL came to an end in April 2016, the vessel was placed on a month-to-month contractual arrangement.

The Cabinet, having rejected the 18-month renewal proposal, appeared to have made no short-term plans for servicing the interisland seabridge.

The MV Warrior Spirit's contract expired on August 31, 2016, and that contract was not renewed.

This meant when ISCL abruptly gave two weeks' notice of the withdrawal of the Super-Fast Galicia, the Government and Port Authority were left scrambling to get vessels.

With the Galicia's last sailing on Good Friday, a peak time for traffic between the two islands, the Government announced on Thursday it is looking to military vessels, as well as vessels used by the oil and gas sector, to service the route.

Consensus or no consensus?

On April 8, 2016, the Port Autho­rity's management and “the board representative” attended a meeting with the Ministry of Works and Transport and recommended that the Charter Hire for the MV Super-Fast Galicia be renewed at the daily rate of 14,750 euros for 18 months, spanning May 1, 2016, to October 31, 2017. There was complete consensus at this meeting among all the parties present, according to a document signed by PATT acting general manager Charmaine Lewis, dated February 4, 2017, “PATT wrote to ISCL conveying the offer on behalf of the MOWT” on April 27, 2016, Lewis said in the same document.

And, on the same day—April 27, 2016—ISCL wrote back, indicating their acceptance.

This, notwithstanding the fact the matter still had to receive the approval of Cabinet.

Interestingly, des­pite the “consensus” at the April 8 meeting and despite the fact the Port management wrote to ISCL, making the offer of the contract renewal on April 27, the then-PATT chairman, Christine Sahadeo, sent corres­pondence to then-minister Fitzgerald Hinds which appeared to contradict the position of the Port management.

In her April 27 letter, Sahadeo noted the commissioners were advised the Government (Ministry of Works) “had approved the renewal of the Charter Party for the MV Super Fast Galicia for 18 months commencing from May 1, 2016, to October 31, 2017”.

“The board is duly cognisant of the authority of the GOTT to renew this contract with ISCL as the aforementioned entities are the parties to the Charter Party Agreement. However, as the board has strategic oversight for the Trinidad and Tobago Inter-island Transport Company Limited, a series of detailed reports were forwarded to the Ministry of Works and Transport, which highlighted the authority's concerns with the renewal of the MV Super Fast Galicia”.

Sahadeo continued: “The authority indicated to the line ministry its non-recommendation of the renewal of the vessel”.

Sahadeo stated the renewal of the contract had to be considered in the context of whether or not Government was prepared to commit $49.2 million to create a proper docking space.

“As you are aware, the dredging of the Queen's Wharf with attendant works is at the cost of TT$49.24 million, which is required for the operational efficiencies and effectiveness of the MV Super Fast Galicia. The board is willing to support the renewal of the Charter Party with the concomitant funding of the capital expenditure of TT$49.24 million,” Sahadeo stated.

Sources said the board eventually agreed to the 18-month renewal.

Draft Cabinet note

The proposal for an 18-month renewal undoubtedly had the full support of the Port Authority's management.

In a memo dated May 11, 2016, from then manager/CEO of PATT Leon Grant to the corporate secretary, Grant reiterated the 18-month renewal was accepted by the “parties to the contract”.

Grant said the services of the MV Super-Fast Galicia “has been retained via offer and acceptance by parties to the contract for an 18-month period from May 2016 to October 31, 2017, at a rate of euro 14,750 daily. Her full carrying capacity will be realised with the dredging of Queen's Wharf”.

“The authority, on April 27, 2016, indicated same to the line ministry and forwarded the relevant Draft Cabinet Note (aimed at seeking the approval of the Cabinet for the renewal of the contract) and gave the line ministry its support for both initiatives,” Grant stated.

As previously stated, this recommendation was turned down.

By December 20, 2016, ISCL wrote to new Works Minister Rohan Sinanan (who replaced Hinds in November 2016), stating if the company was awarded a “long-term contract—five years, it was willing to offer a reduced rate of 14,400 euros for the first two years and, thereafter, an incremental increase of three per cent per annum on each remaining year of the contract.

Sinanan indicated this week that Government was not prepared to agree to a five-year contract.

Boat gone

By January 25, 2017, the board was informed of the decision of the vessel's owners to “reflag” the vessel and withdraw it from service.

The Port management, in February, 2017, proposed that ISCL be given the three-year contract, with an option for a two-year renewal, after taking in account the “negative backlash from having no cargo vessel to service the seabridge”, which would be a “source of embarrassment to the GORTT and the authority” and the fact that sourcing a new vessel would require some time.

“Given the current constraints, management deems this to be the most appropriate course of action,” manager Charmaine Lewis stated.

Government however did not agree with this position.

“I went to the Cabinet and it was not willing to sign off on a five-year contract,” Sinanan stated.

He added Government was not prepared to have anyone hold it “to ransom”.

He said he was concerned 14 days, notice was given, which was to take effect from Easter Friday.

“But that will not shake us, it will make us stronger in ensuring that nobody holds this country to ransom,” Sinanan said.

The THA also supported Government, with THA Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles describing a five-year lease as “blackmail”.

[Flex]

BOAT BOBOL
SEAN DOUGLAS (NEWSDAY).

PRIME Minister Dr Keith Rowley says certain “very disturbing documents” surrounding the past leasing of the Super Fast Galicia are being sent to Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, for possible action, and will be released to the general public.

In a ‘live’ interview yesterday on Radio 95.5 FM, Rowley defended his Government from allegations of inaction as the inter-isle cargo ferry service continues to flounder badly, by saying there is another side to the story and that Government has more information than its critics.

“In fact, that matter is now on the way to the Office of the Attorney General. Because of how the public has been manipulated, it is important the Government provide all the information and all the documents,” Rowley said.

Amid all criticisms, he said there is “probably” criminal conduct in other quarters. He said many of these critics are just mouth pieces for persons who have had, “their noses in the trough”, in an arranged situation. “You have people committing Government to expenditure of millions and millions of dollars, without appropriate authority. You see persons starting out at one end as lawyer for the port and then being a broker for the boat.” IMPROPER PROCEDURE Saying all details will be publicised, Rowley said he does not want the population to think Government is stupid. “People have been the beneficiary of largesse coming their way because of improper procurement procedure,” he alleged. Saying he told AG Al-Rawi to read the documents, Rowley assured relevant persons would be held accountable.

He expressed shock at how documents show that an initial six-month contract, turned to a 12-month contract, followed by demands for a five-year contract.

“And as it is happening inside of the (Port Authority) board you are seeing board members taking positions that would be of interest to the public.” He said the problem goes back to the very beginning, starting with the boat being unsuitable as it could not be moored at the Tobago Terminal at Queen’s Wharf.

“So they started mooring it at the Hyatt Hotel.” He said the Galicia’s engines are destroying the seafront at the Hyatt and if continued will likely incur a bill for damages.

“If Government allows that to continue for five years we’ll end up with a $200 or $300 million bill to fix the Hyatt. Secondly, if we are to take it to the Queens Wharf we’ll have to dredge every two years at a cost of $50 million.” SINANAN’S CLAIM On Wednesday, in Parliament, Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan refuted Tabaquite MP Dr Suruj Rambachan’s claim of “gross incompetence” by Government over the Galicia.

Sinanan said that in 2013 (under the former regime) the Port Authority hired an attorney, NB Alfonso and Co, the firm of attorney Nyree Alfonso.

A tender by the authority was won by firm Intercontinental, Sinanan said in the House, adding that this firm allegedly said Alfonso was their broker. The contract ran for six months and later extended to 12 months, Sinanan added, but at the same rate favourable to Intercontinental.

Sinanan said soon after becoming minister, in December, he was asked by John Powell of Intercontinental for a five-year contract or else Powell would pull the boat from service. “I consider that to be economic blackmail,” Sinanan hit.

Further, the minister alluded that the Galicia is unsuitable because its present berthing causing cargo trucks to block the Hyatt entrance. Sinanan said he told the Port board to “spec” a replacement boat. “Cabinet has already approved the tendering process for purchase of a brand new cargo vessel for Tobago. They also approved the tendering process for the hiring of a cargo vessel for three years. I’ll be taking a note to Cabinet for the purchase of two new fast ferries for passenger transportation to Tobago.”

[Deeks]

Gene Miles and the gas station racket, Ohallaran, Padmore and the list goes on.

[Flex]

Galicia initially deemed unsuitable
Port board led astray
By Khamal Georges (Guardian).

The People’s Partnership Cabinet approved $56 million ($56, 343,000) to lease the Super Fast Galicia in 2014, nine days before it received board approval by the Port Authority of Trinidad & Tobago.

However, the multi-million-dollar approval was green-lighted despite a report that pointed to a number of deficiencies that likely made the Super Fast Galicia unsuitable to service the Tobago sea bridge.

This is just one of several issues Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi will be asked to investigate following Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s statement last Thursday that there was possible “criminal conduct” in the handling of the contract for the Galicia.

Documents obtained by Guardian Media point to possible conflict of interest and dereliction of duty by parties involved in the contract.

The AG may also be asked to examine the involvement of ND Alfonso & Co Ltd, the law firm of former First Citizens chairman Nyree Alfonso, in the deal.

According to documents obtained by GML, the Port Authority board approved the selection of the boat on April 12, 2014. Two days later, on April 14, the Port Authority received a cheque in the amount of $23,933,722 representing “the cost of mobilisation & infrastructure,” with instructions to hold the money in escrow until the contracts were executed. Two weeks earlier, on March 28, a draft minute was taken to cabinet for the funding of the Galicia and on April 3, via cabinet minute No 972, the funding of the vessel was approved, which was some nine days before the port board sat and ratified its selection.

But in his contribution to the debate in the Parliament on Wednesday, Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan, in outlining why Government felt the Galicia was no longer a good option, noted several reasons why the vessel was unsuitable for the sea bridge.

Those deficiencies were in fact outlined in an internal memorandum dated March 24, 2014, which was compiled by then acting CEO of the Trinidad & Tobago Inter-Island Transport Corporation, Leon Grant, who had visited Gibraltar in early March 2014 to conduct “sea trials” and “inspection” of the vessel.

In the memorandum on the issue, Grant stated that the approved charter of the MV Super Fast Galicia was subject to the assessment of the vessel. A technical, commercial and statutory assessment was done during his trip to Gibraltar and he concluded that the vessel only satisfied two of the six areas deemed critical for its suitability to service the sea bridge.

According to Grant’s memo, the vessel did not satisfy passenger capacity, operational costs, utilisation and configuration for the route.

However, in a detailed breakdown of her bill to the Port Authority on July 18, 2014, attorney Nyree Alfonso, in a note on the vessel’s suitability, stated the “Super Fast Galicia was deemed most suitable by Mr Leon Grant.”

Contacted yesterday, Grant refused to answer any questions about the apparent conflict between his first report and the final recommendation, only saying: “I am not allowed to speak on this issue relative to the ferry at this point in time.”

Told that he had pointed to several weaknesses in the vessel in his 2014 report, he directed questions to the newly-appointed chairman of the board Allison Lewis.

There are also questions about the management of the Galicia’s contract over the last three years and why at least four tenders put out by the Port Authority were eventually scrapped, including under the former People’s National Movement board led by Christine Sahadeo.

The vessel was brought into this country in June 2014 on a temporary basis, but was subsequently granted several contract extensions.

According to Works & Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan, there was an agreement for an 18-month contract extension on April 8, 2016. It is unclear whether all parties involved in the 2016 lease negotiations were ever made aware of the findings of the 2014 report when renegotiating that deal. However, in January 2017, Sinanan claimed Intercontinental Shipping managing director John Powell was no longer interested in a short-term deal and demanded a three-year contract with the option to renew for another two years or he would pull the vessel. A well-placed source told Guardian Media the PNM Government felt “strong-armed and bullied” by this tactic.

ND Alfonso & Co paid $840,750

In responding to a motion brought by Tabaquite MP Dr Suruj Rambachan in Parliament last week, Works Minister Rohan Sinanan alluded to the alleged involvement of Nyree Alfonso’s law firm, ND Alfonso & Co.

According to a timeline of events seen by Guardian Media, Alfonso was retained by the Port Authority for six months, beginning December 2013. She was hired to terminate the charter of the Warrior Spirit vessel.

Alfonso confirmed to GML she was subsequently asked by the port to assist in locating vessels to help replace the Warrior Spirit because of her expertise as a maritime lawyer. She was able to find six vessels.

In an interview with Guardian Media on Friday, Alfonso denied submitting any tender during the process. She provided an excerpt of a letter sent to the Port Authority where she indicated she had “terminated her efforts” on the basis that she would be unable to meet the normal industry required criteria, and informed the European brokers to work with a local agent.

In a February 19, 2014 tender that was eventually scrapped, Intercontinental Shipping was listed as the preferred tenderer, although it was not on the list of nine companies invited to submit a bid for the provision of services. After tenders were evaluated however, Intercontinental, which is the local agent for the Super Fast Galicia, was listed as one of the three preferred bidders.

Although Alfonso was employed by the port at the time, she was invited to tender for the provision of a vessel, where two of the three vessels she found were short-listed.

In a 12-page breakdown of her bill, she charged for a number of services, including locating temporary vessels, contacting the Super Fast team to tell them of the selection and arbitration proceedings, among others.

There were no dates provided for the last section of her bill. This dealt with confirmation that the Galicia had been accepted by the Port Authority, assistance in putting in place a payment facility and letter of credit, as requested by the owners of the Galicia.

It also addressed the preparation of the charter party agreement and multiple in-person meetings with Intercontinental general manager John Powell and the permanent secretary. On October 2, 2014, the Port Authority approved the payment of $840, 750 to the law firm for its services.

Alfonso—No conflict of interest

Attorney Nyree Alfonso says Government can “do all the investigations” it wants into the Super Fast Galicia deal, as she believes it is nothing but “smoke and mirrors.”

She said the probe by the Attorney General will not change the fact that Government was aware the vessel was pulling out and there appeared to be inaction by the Government.

Alfonso reiterated that she declared her interests to the Port Authority, informing that John Powell of Intercontinental Shipping and his other companies were her client. She noted, however, that many people in the shipping industry are her clients.

“I am an attorney for more than 20 years, I know what conflict of interest is,” she told Guardian Media.

While she assisted in locating the vessels, Alfonso said she never selected Powell to be the local agent for the Galicia.

“The choice of Intercontinental was not my choice, but Intercontinental is my client,” she said, adding that she extricated herself from the process.

She said she is not this “Machiavellian” person that she was being made out to be.

Powell—No ‘strong-arming’

Intercontinental Shipping managing director John Powell is denying any strong-arming of the Government in securing a contract extension for the Super Fast Galicia.

Contacted in Gibraltar yesterday, Powell said Intercontinental could not threaten to pull the ship from service because it always operated on instructions from the owners and international broker of the vessel. He explained that his company was nominated by the European Broker Astral Shipping.

Asked to explain how Intercontinental was listed as one of three preferred tenderers, he said Intercontinental could not have been on the initial tender in February 2014.

“It’s not like Intercontinental walked in and suddenly appeared on the list, we couldn’t have done that,” he added, saying they are an agent that works through a broker or a principal.

Last Wednesday, Works Minister Rohan Sinanan described as “economic blackmail” a situation in which Intercontinental sought a change to the existing 18-month contract in January 2017.

However, Powell said yesterday that he would be “disappointed” if Minister Sinanan said that.

“At no time did we strong-arm the Port Authority, the Ministry of Transport or the Government,” he stated.

According to Powell, the owners wanted to sell the vessel or attain a long-term contract and he questioned why the Government would offer a month-to-month contract knowing there was the possibility the owners could pull out.


Super Fast Galicia.

[Flex]

PATT gets ‘new’ ferry for Tobago
By Shaliza Hassanali (Guardian)

Members of the public travelling between Trinidad and Tobago will not have to hold any strain when the Super Fast Galicia leaves the inter-island ferry route on Friday.

This is because the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago has organised a replacement ferry - the MV Provider - to pick up the slack almost immediately this weekend.

Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan and PATT chairman Alison Lewis made the announcement a joint press conference yesterday.

They also revealed that a barge, named the Transporter, will also be put into service between the islands.

The daily rent of the MV Provider, which is scheduled to make its first sailing on Sunday, will be US$14,500 (TT$97,150) while the Transporter will cost between US$8,000 and $10,000 (TT$53,000 to $67,000). However, both vessels will have a longer sailing time to Tobago than the Galicia, which takes five hours.

Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi also announced at the press conference that he is considering legal action against Transmed, the owners of the Super Fast Galicia, for repudiation of its contractual agreement. The AG said he will make a determination on this matter by tomorrow.

In a text message to Guardian Media Ltd, Al-Rawi, who is now conducting a probe into whether there may have been any wrongdoing in the Galicia deal wrote: “The issue being looked at arises because there was an agreement for 18 months with an expiry date in October 2017. I am currently reviewing all aspects of the procurement of the Galicia, including all contractual arrangements and will provide a clear opinion with recommendations as to the accountability with alacrity.”

Having sought a legal opinion on the matter, Sinanan said during the press conference that there was an 18-month contract in place between Intercontinental Shipping - the provider and PATT to use the vessel, which had to be signed off. He said this arrangement was changed in January because Intercontinental wanted a five-year contract instead. In March, Sinanan said they received a letter from the charter to stop the Galicia’s service since they wanted a five-year contract.

“Intercontinental sent a letter stating that they are going to pull the vessel on so and so date. That has to go to the Attorney General to see if there was any breach of agreement based on advice from senior counsel on this matter,” he said.

Sinanan said contrary to what was put in the public domain, he had no information that the Galicia had a month-to-month contract and files were still being sent to the AG for review.

“I thought that was unacceptable. What we would have in Trinidad was a vessel that came in for six months remaining here for eight years. It’s an arguable position.”

If Government had signed this new arrangement, Sinanan said taxpayers would have had to pay “an additional $300 million without a tendering process.”

This led to Government putting out tenders to obtain a vessel, which would close on April 24. The long term plan, he said, is for Government to buy a cargo vessel which would take 30 months to build and get to our shores.

In 2014, the then People’s Partnership government approved $56 million to lease the Galicia, nine days before it received board approval by PATT.

While the revenue obtained from the Galicia was estimated at $15 million, Sinanan said the annual cost to operate the vessel was $50 million.

He also said that there were problems with the Galicia even before it even came to Trinidad. A report on the vessel, Sinanan said, showed two strengths and five weaknesses, as was reported exclusively in the Sunday Guardian.

“However, I did see a report that the vessel is most suited. That to me is another question that has to be answered. The time lines in this whole scenario does not make sense,” Sinanan said.

“A key point here, is that we have paid an attorney to find a vessel in the billing. That attorney was also a tenderer…. did not submit a tender but was invited to tender. After paying the attorney to find a vessel we ended up with a broker who went and charter a vessel and came back and charter the vessel to us.”

Sinanan said they were now questioning exactly who PATT rented the Galicia from.

“The Government subsidised this by a couple hundred per cent. It is nice to say to get the private sector involved. Is the private sector going to subsidise this by 400 per cent? The answer is no,” he said.

“If we charge the real cost of the transportation, then nobody would be able to afford goods and services in Tobago. We have to work with what is on the table. I know the people in Tobago are suffering.”

Seamless transition Sunday

PATT chairman Alison Lewis gave the assurance that from Sunday there would be a seamless transition in getting cargo to the sister isle.

From a list of ten providers, Lewis said three were short-listed. On Tuesday, she said a tender’s committee did an evaluation and two vessels were selected and recommended to the ministry to transport cargo.

“This is an interim situation and therefore it would be anywhere from six weeks to two to three months. We expect that we would be using the Provider probably…for a month in the first instance with an option for two to three months if needed. For the barge it would be in the vicinity of a month with an option for another month,” Lewis said.

Of the two vessels, Sinanan said the Transporter is a Trinidad-owned barge, while the MV Provider will arrive on Friday.

From Trinidad to Tobago, the Transporter, which will carry construction materials and heavy equipment, will take ten hours, while the Provider, which has a seven to eight-hour sailing time, will be used to transport container cargo and perishable goods, Lewis said.

Asked if the ministry expected criticism from the Tobago Chamber of Commerce about the length of time the barge would take in getting cargo to Tobago, Sinanan said PATT would have to schedule the sailing times to ensure there was no shortage of materials.

“Based on the economic situation the country has found itself in, we may have to look at getting sea transportation at a cheaper cost. And speed means money. So it is something we would have to look at.

“If we have to carry sand, gravel and blocks and spend four hours longer... but it is 50 per cent cheaper in terms of transportation…whether the country wants to look at that. We have to fix this problem once and for all,” Sinanan said.

[Flex]

Galicia crew tries journey to Spain from Tobago
Truckers force return PoS trip
By Casandra Thompson–Forbes and Shaliza Hassanali (Guardian).

Truckers at the Scarborough Port yesterday forced the Port Authority of T&T to order the crew of the Super Fast Galicia to make a return trip to Trinidad last night, after the vessel’s crew indicated they were instead heading to Spain directly from Tobago.

The truckers became incensed when, after being made to wait for approximately 24 hours for the Galicia to get to Tobago, the local crew was ordered off the boat around 10 am because its foreign crew started preparations to sail to Spain, indicating their contract had expired and they had purchased their own fuel for the European journey.

But the enraged truckers stormed the vessel’s ramp to prevent it from leaving. The melee lasted for over one hour before the truckers started boarding the boat without authorisation. The action caused a traffic pile up in Scarborough and delayed the afternoon sailing of the T&T Express.

The crew eventually relented and agreed to take the truckers, most of whom were from Trinidad, back to Port-of-Spain. Heavily armed police officers also visited the port, but no one was arrested.

A T&T Coast Guard vessel, the TTS Carlibay, also arrived to escort the Galicia back to Trinidad. An officer also went aboard the Galicia to ensure the passengers and cargo arrived safely, as many feared the vessel might still divert to Spain on its way back.

Speaking to the media at the Scarborough Port, Trucker and Traders Association president Horace Amede said the truckers were ready to take legal action if the Galicia had sailed without their trucks.

“They had no other choice than to take the vehicles back to Trinidad, because this was the original arrangement, that the trucks would go back to Trinidad. If not we were going to take the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago to court, because we have valid tickets for all these vehicles here to go back to Trinidad, so there was going to be a cost for staying in Tobago and every day that those vessels stayed in Tobago, additional cost was going to be added.”

He also reiterated that no trucks will be placed on any barge to transport goods between the islands.

“We don’t want to hear anything about any barge, that comes like a bad word right now,” Amede said.

“That barge situation is a total disrespect to us, because when you travel on the Galicia you are 30 feet from the water and you still get water spray, so how could you put your vehicle on a barge that there’s an eight-feet wall, so imagine what will happen to our vehicles.”

Amede also warned Tobagonians of a possible food shortage if their needs are not met.

The MV Atlantic Provider and the MV Transporter, which will be used in the interim until Government finds a replacement for the Galicia, are scheduled to service the sea bridge from tomorrow.

Chaos on last sailing

Approximately 13 local Galicia crew members were temporarily put off the vessel at the Scarborough Port by its captain yesterday.

A worker who requested anonymity said the crew was ordered to leave the vessel when it docked in Tobago around 10 am.

The Galicia made a round trip yesterday, both of which were delayed by several hours.

The first sailing departed Trinidad at 4.35 am, while the final sailing from Tobago to the Port-of-Spain Ferry Terminal was expected to depart at 8 pm.

The Tobago incident occurred after the Galicia’s trip from Trinidad was also delayed as the crew fuelled the boat for the trip to Spain.

“You don’t treat paying passengers this way because you are paid by the Government to provide a service,” the worker said.

“You could have seen anger and frustration on the faces of the passengers and truck drivers. People were quarrelling and cussing because they were not expecting this. I thought it would have been smooth sailing...at least for the last time, but it turned into chaos and confusion.”

The worker said the foreign crew was intent on heading to Spain until they realised they could face a backlash.

“They say their company tell them don’t put anything on the vessel because they did not get paid to take cargo back to Trinidad. So everybody walked out. It was only until the security outside insisted that the crew be put back on board they obliged. We spent about two hours on the port,” the worker said.

Yesterday, communications manager of the Inter-Island ferry Service, Vilma Lewis-Cockburn, admitted that the Galicia departed Trinidad late.

“Yes, the Galicia left late because they were taking bunkers from since yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. It was delayed by a few hours.”

[Flex]

Ferry service: Only essential travel should be entertained between T&T
T&T Guardian Reports.

A total of 244,171 passengers travelled between Trinidad and Tobago on the inter-island ferries between January and July, statistics have shown.

“The management of the Trinidad and Tobago Inter-Island Transportation Company Ltd (TTIT) advises that for the period January 1 to July 31, the passenger vessels-T&T Spirit, Jean De la Valette and the Galleons Passage and the cargo vessel-MV Cabo Star transported 244,171 passengers and 89,116 vehicles to and from Tobago,” a release stated yesterday.

April saw the lowest number of total passengers who travelled between the two islands over the seven-month period, the statistics showed.

A total of 9,546 passengers travelled on the inter-island ferries in April.

The total number of vehicles that were recorded travelling between the two islands on the ferries in April was 5,406.

T&T recorded its first COVID-19 positive case in mid-March.

While the total trips recorded in April was the same as in May, the number of passengers who travelled between the two islands almost doubled between the two months.

In May the total number of passengers who travelled on the inter-island ferries was 21,836.

A total of 9,136 vehicles were also transported between the two islands in May.

The total number of passengers increased gradually from May to July.

In June a total of 33,009 passengers and 13,354 vehicles were transported between the two islands.

In July a total of 44,195 passengers and 17,507 vehicles were transported between the two islands.

July recorded the largest number of vehicles being transported between the two islands on the ferries over the seven-month period.

The month with the largest number of total passengers was February.

In February a total of 52,367 passengers were transported between the two islands.

Last year from January to August a total of 360,734 passengers were transported between the two islands.

The Jean De La Valette only operated from July 18 while the T&T Spirit operated only up until the end of July.

The TTIT advised that because of further restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19 announced by Prime Minister Dr Rowley last Saturday the inter-island ferry service while continuing to operate on daily basis, but will do so at a reduced capacity.

Effective yesterday only 350 passengers will be allowed on either the Jean De La Valette and the T&T Spirit.

The number of passengers allowed on the Galleons Passage from now on is 200 and the passenger capacity on the MV Cabo Star will be 50.

“This organisation is committed to providing critical inter-island ferry operations; however the travelling public is hereby advised that only essential travel should be entertained at this time,” the TTIT stated.

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APT James gets closer to T&T
T&T Guardian Reports.

Less than 10,000 nautical miles separate the newest ferry in the national fleet—the APT James—from its destination of Trinidad and Tobago, as it continues to make its way home, after having been handed over officially to the Government, earlier this month.

In a release issued this morning, the National Infrastructure Development Company Limited (NIDCO) advises that the APT James arrived at the Port of Galle, Sri Lanka, today, Wednesday 18 November 2020, at 3:45 am (local time).

According to the NIDCO statement, the Sri Lanka stop is the first of five scheduled stops for the vessel to bunker (refuel) during its journey to Trinidad and Tobago.

Bunkering / Refuelling stops for the vessel include the following:

●  Galle, Sri Lanka - Bunkering - One (1) day

●  Republic of Djibouti, East Africa - Bunkering - One (1) day

●  Suez, Egypt - Bunkering - One (1) day

●  Algeciras, Spain - Bunkering - One (1) day

●  Praia, Cape Verde - Bunkering - One (1) day

With the stop at Sri Lanka, the vessel has 9,474 nautical miles left in its journey to Trinidad and Tobago, and is estimated to arrive in late December 2020, good weather permitting.

The APT James was built by Austal—the Australian company contracted by NIDCO to design and build the vehicle and passenger catamaran—at its new shipyard in Vung Tau, Vietnam.

The ferry, designated 94-metre AutoExpress, will provide high-speed passenger and vehicle operations between Trinidad and Tobago.

The APT James features the very latest in 'smart ship' technology, including an advanced Motion Control System, to deliver a more comfortable and stable ride. It has the capacity for 926 passengers and 250 cars, and can travel at speeds of up to 37.5 knots.

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Fast ferry APT James now scheduled to arrive in January
DARREN BAHAW (T&T NEWSDAY).

The anticipated end-of-year gift of a new fast ferry to service the inter-island route from Port of Spain to Scarborough has hit a snag and is now expected to arrive in the first week of the new year.

The National Infrastructure Development Company (Nidco) which purchased the vessel on behalf of the government announced on Saturday that the unavailability to refuel at the last scheduled stop at Cape Verde before sailing across the Atlantic Ocean caused the unexpected delay.

Bunkering services were unavailable owing to the Christmas holidays, Nidco stated and an alternative stop had been made at Las Palmas, Canary Islands to refuel before the vessel embarks on its voyage to T&T.

Nidco said once there was good weather the vessel is expected to arrive by the first week of January.

The vessel, named APT James, in honour of the late Alphonso Philbert Theophilus James, a famed rights activist of Black Rock, Tobago who was elected to the Legislative Council in 1946.

It is one of two vessels purchased by the state in a government-to-government deal with the Australian government. The other vessel named after the famous Buccoo Reef of Tobago has been commissioned in Tasmania, Australia by shipbuilder Incat in early October and is expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2021.

The APT James was constructed in Vietnam by shipbuilders Austal and has the capacity to carry 926 passengers and 250 vehicles.

The upper deck is divided into a first-class section for 132 people and a separate economy section for the remaining passengers.

The vessel set sail from Vietnam on November 12 and arrived at Port of Galle in Sri Lanka six days later to refuel. It then journeyed to the Republic of Djibouti, in East Africa on November 25 to refuel and arrived at Suez Canal, Egypt three days later.

The ferry had to make an unscheduled stop at Port Valletta, Malta on December 2 where it remained docked for several days owning to bad weather in the Mediterranean Sea, according to Nidco and arrived at the Port of Algecrias, Spain on December 18 before sailing to Las Palmas, Canary Islands on Christmas Day.

Nidco had stated that each of the five refuelling stops should have taken at least one day stay in the respective ports.

The last leg of the journey, an estimated 2,900 nautical miles, is final sailing in the 11,572 nautical miles away from Vietnam, halfway across the globe.


A look at the passenger seating in the new fast ferry APT James. - Photo courtesy Baird Maritime