President Ali Calls for Public-Private Investment to Modernize Caribbean Ports

According to the Guyana Times, President Dr Irfaan Ali has called for greater public-private investment to modernize ports across the Caribbean. He pointed to aging infrastructure, limited cargo-handling capacity, and inadequate navigational depth as significant constraints on regional shipping while speaking at the opening ceremony of the Caribbean Shipping Association’s 56th Annual General Meeting (AGM), Conference and Exhibition at the Guyana Marriott Hotel on Monday.

Addressing the gathering, the Head of State referenced Guyana’s own maritime challenges and ongoing infrastructure development to illustrate the necessary scale of investment. He noted that inadequate navigational depth presents a major hurdle, stating that dredging the Demerara River is required to allow larger vessels to enter. This situation has led the Government to advance plans for a deepwater port intended to link Guyana with northern Brazil and the broader region. President Ali mentioned that the Linden-Mabura Hill Road serves as an example of the infrastructure development and investment magnitude needed.

He explained that the inability of the largest ships to enter is due to the need to dredge the Demerara River, which is why steps are being taken to develop a deepwater port connecting to northern Brazil and the rest of the region. The President further elaborated that the road shown is only one part of the required infrastructure, and viewing it would help people grasp the project's scope and the investment required.

Ali stated that these issues were impeding regional production. He cited a 2018 study by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on short-sea shipping in the Caribbean, which noted that most Caribbean ports are 50 years old or older and were constructed for a different commercial environment.

He emphasized that many ports were inefficient and designed for a previous commercial setting. The President asserted that a modern, efficient port cannot achieve its full potential if the vessels it needs to accommodate cannot reach its harbor, if cargo cannot be moved efficiently past its terminal, or if connecting ports lack the capacity to manage arriving goods.

Ali noted that Guyana exemplifies both the investment opportunities and the challenges related to maritime development. He added that as the country's economy expands and trade volumes increase, its maritime infrastructure must align with its development goals, requiring major dredging works to improve access to the Demerara River.

In a separate interview with the media, the Head of State described the proposed deepwater port as a vital element of Guyana’s development strategy. He stated that the deepwater port is critical for building out the economy, diversifying the economy, and enhancing national competitiveness.

According to him, work is currently underway to finalize feasibility studies, which include preliminary assessments of potential sites, prior to advancing to the full design phase. He mentioned that these initial studies would assist in preparing the project for investment, and discussions with prospective investors were already in progress. President Ali noted that discussions had taken place with Qatari investment, who expressed interest in partnering in this major project, which he described as one of the nation's most transformative infrastructures.

When questioned about how the additional studies would proceed without support from Chevron, President Ali indicated that the Government would need to collaborate with development partners to ensure their completion. He stated that this study must be completed by the Government and the people, alongside all development partners. He added that the US EXIM (United States Export-Import Bank) is also interested in supporting the study, with a meeting planned for all potential investors, particularly large ones, by December once the feasibility is completed in all dimensions to move the project forward.

The Caribbean Shipping Association’s 56th AGM, Conference and Exhibition is scheduled to take place from October 25 to October 28, 2026, at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown. This conference gathers shipping companies, port operators, logistics professionals, public agencies, and other maritime-sector participants in Guyana for meetings, conference sessions, and exhibition activities.