MARAD Commissions $790M Tugboat ‘Arrow’ to Boost Maritime Sector
By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News
The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has officially commissioned its latest vessel — the 1606 Stand Arrow — at a cost of approximately $790 million. The commissioning ceremony, held on Tuesday, marks a significant milestone in Guyana’s ongoing modernization of its maritime infrastructure.
The Arrow is the second newly built vessel added to MARAD’s fleet. It is designed to support dredging operations and offshore maritime services, particularly in the context of Guyana’s rapidly expanding oil and gas sector.
Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, hailed the acquisition as a symbol of the government’s sustained investment in maritime development:
“We are modernizing the sector to ensure its relevance and effectiveness are not compromised.”
Minister Edghill further noted the establishment of a special MARAD offshore unit, created specifically to handle offshore operations, aligning with the country’s emerging energy economy.
With this new addition, Guyana transitions from outdated, deteriorating vessels to a fleet capable of meeting international standards, thereby significantly enhancing operational readiness and administrative capacity in its coastal and offshore zones.
