The Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC) is closely monitoring the temporary suspension of the MV Canawaima ferry service and is particularly concerned about the impact on passengers, transport operators, businesses and the movement of goods between Guyana and Suriname.

The safety of passengers and crew must remain paramount. SGCC recognises and respects the responsibility of the relevant maritime authorities to exercise the necessary caution in determining the seaworthiness and safe operation of the vessel. A reliable cross-border service must, first and foremost, be a safe one.

The Chamber has also taken note of the clarification provided by Guyana’s Minister of Public Works, the Honorable Bishop Juan Edghill, that recent technical inspections involving maritime experts from both Suriname and Guyana concluded that the vessel could remain in operation pending dry-docking within the next three months, while the Maritime Authority Suriname (MAS) has determined that certain outstanding matters should instead be addressed immediately. SGCC further notes the Suriname Nieuws Centrale report that the 21 August 2026 assessment by Marine Consulting & Survey identified significant corrosion requiring further examination and remedial works, while finding no leakage and determining the vessel could remain in operation for three months pending dry-docking; the assessment also identified outstanding documentation and certification requirements, with further thickness measurements and repair works scheduled from 24 August.