Local shipping giants to build US$285M port in Berbice – Pres. Ali

Local shipping competitors Muneshwers Limited and John Fernandes Limited are teaming up once again – this time to construct a US$285 million port facility in Berbice.

This announcement was made by President Dr Irfaan Ali earlier today (Saturday, April 12, 2025) during an engagement with residents of New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

“Muneshwers and John Fernandes have formed a consortium, and they’re raising the capital for the investment in the first phase of a port facility here in Berbice. That investment, [for which] they want to turn the sod in the coming weeks, will be an investment of US$285 million. It will create 1000 jobs,” he revealed.

Only earlier this year, Muneshwers and John Fernandes partnered, through their joint venture company – Cranes Guyana Inc, to enhance port services in Guyana with the procurement of two mobile harbour cranes – a US$14 million investment that was lauded as a win for local content in the country.

According to the Head of State, Government is also working with a United States-based engineering and construction company, Bechtel, on a deep water port facility that is likely to be built at New Amsterdam.

“That port will open up tremendous opportunities for transport, logistics, accommodation, real estate construction, and here is where we’re going to bring power on stream to have the AI data center built in Region Six; unlocking the future for you.”

Already, the Ali-led People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is planning to replace the current floating two-lane Berbice River bridge with a fixed high-span four-lane bridge that will further enhance transportation in the region.

This, according to the Guyanese Leader, will complement the host of other developments being undertaken across Region Six.

“The four-lane road that will go from New Amsterdam all the way to Molson Creek, connecting to the bridge to Suriname; that is the future we are building for you. The new stadium, supported by hotels, entertainment facilities, the National Cultural market, the multi-purpose complexes and all the other malls and a private hospital that will come here to support the expansion and development that will take place in Region Six and in New Amsterdam.”

“The Gas-to-Shore infrastructure, a world-class industrial and manufacturing hub, an economic zone that will be home to an LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) power plant… We’ll convert Rose Hall [landing] into a municipal airport, like you see in Ogle. This is the future: the new hospital, new nursing school, new medical school, water treatment plants, that is what we’re talking about,” the president added.