A new ferry service, Connect Caribe is set to launch by the end of November with destinations including Guyana, Suriname, and Barbados.
Connect Caribe, a private-sector-led ferry service, was set to commence operations by the end of November this year, promising significant employment opportunities and receiving strong backing from key regional figures. This development was highlighted during a stakeholder consultation forum at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, where Chairman and CEO Ambassador Andre Thomas provided an update.
Preparations for the service were reported to be on track. Significant progress had been made, with ships identified and undergoing inspections. The finalization of the launch date was scheduled for the last quarter of the year.
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The initiative, launched in January by a subsidiary of Pleion Group Inc. Barbados, aimed to enhance maritime operations and facilitate trade throughout the Caribbean. The project’s first phase was expected to create 185 jobs, with recruitment already in progress. A recruitment fair held today had attracted 450 attendees, with interviews already underway, and recruitment efforts continuing across the region.
The consultation forum aimed to refine the business model and address logistical issues. Collaboration with CARICOM’s private sector organization was emphasized to ensure optimal delivery. The service intended to involve micro, small, medium, and large businesses, as well as families and travelers, benefiting the entire region.
Special Envoy to Guyana and Suriname Alphea Wiggins and Javon Griffith, chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA), expressed strong support for the venture. Wiggins emphasized the service’s potential to bolster food security and regional integration, highlighting its importance in supporting bilateral agreements with Suriname and Guyana.
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Wiggins also highlighted the critical role such a service could play during crises, recalling the threats to food sovereignty and food security during COVID-19. The initiative by Connect Caribbean was expected to change the direction of food security and food sovereignty in the region. She called for the harmonization of sanitary and phytosanitary standards across the Caribbean to facilitate smoother trade.
Griffith echoed Wiggins’ enthusiasm, noting the potential benefits for intra-regional travel and the tourism industry. He pointed out that ferry service had proven to be more cost-effective than air travel, which could drive increased visitor arrivals, leisure spend, and higher occupancy for member properties. A cheaper format for travel within the islands was expected to allow more people to travel between the islands for the first time.
Despite the optimism, Griffith acknowledged potential challenges, noting that the only potential stumbling blocks for regional travelers would be those without passports. Once people had the correct travel documents, there was no reason they couldn’t take advantage of this new service.
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Regarding service platform development, it was announced that the cargo platform was ready, with proprietary software developed to deliver this service across the region. Progress in e-commerce solutions was also noted, with a dedicated panel sharing solutions, including a demonstration of the first Caribbean dollar transaction going into a bank account.
Stakeholder engagement was described as “wonderful” and “excellent,” with key players present and plans to conduct similar consultations across every major country in the Caribbean.
Using a football analogy to describe the logistical challenges, Ambassador Thomas compared the company to a box-to-box midfield team, facilitating transitions and aiming to bring all players into the room for this collaborative effort.
Both Wiggins and Griffith stressed the importance of comprehensive marketing efforts to ensure the service’s success. Wiggins suggested that a thorough marketing plan was necessary to inform each territory about the developments, ensuring Connect Caribbean’s success for CARICOM and the region.
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