Reporter
Carisa.Lee@cnc3.co.tt
The newly leased MV Blue Wave Harmony arrived in Trinidad at around 8.30 am yesterday, but no date for its first official sailing has yet been given to inter-island commuters.
The Ministry of Works and Infrastructure said the public will be updated as soon as the final requirements are completed and the cargo vessel is cleared to commence operations.
“The MV Blue Wave Harmony arrived in Trinidad and Tobago and is now progressing through the final operational readiness processes and compliance checks.
“The vessel will enter official service upon completion of all regulatory approvals and the required onboarding and compliance processes,” the ministry said in a response to Guardian Media yesterday.
Leased for one year, the larger and newer vessel will cost the Government over US$10.65 million. The daily rate is approximately US$25,000.
By comparison, the MV Cabo Star, which served the inter-island sea bridge for nearly nine years, was chartered for US$22,500 per day.
The ministry said the passenger ferry can accommodate approximately 125 freight units, compared to about 90 trailers on the Cabo Star, and it also includes 31 fixed refrigerated sockets, which would be used for temperature-sensitive goods such as food and pharmaceuticals.
“In addition, the vessel features heavier-duty loading ramps, including internal tiltable ramps, supporting the safe carriage of heavy equipment and specialised loads. The vessel also has four main engines, improving operational reliability through redundancy and supporting improved travel times,” the ministry said.
The vessel, built in 1991 under a Panamanian flag, includes 73 passenger cabins equipped with beds and bathrooms, a 142-seat self-service restaurant, a lounge and entertainment areas, and a passenger lift.
The ministry said work has already begun on longer-term planning beyond the lease period and will include the exploration of procurement options such as build-finance models and lease-to-own arrangements.
