A REPLACEMENT cargo vessel is being looked at to meet the needs of the people of Tobago, says Minister of Works and Infrastructure Jearlean John. This, as the contract for the Cabo Star comes to an end on January 12, 2026, coincidentally the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election day.

John, when asked by the Express to comment on the contract of the Cabo Star coming to an end, said since the June 11 meeting with stakeholders in Tobago a solution was being looked at in the form of a replacement vessel.

“At that time we held frank discussions with the Tobago stakeholders relative to the service and they then indicated their preference for the following enhanced specifications and expectations for a replacement vessel. These included: a vessel with additional cabins to accommodate drivers/travellers who needed to rest (currently the Cabo Star has a ten-cabin availability): additional passenger capacity, preferably 200 (the Cabo Star currently has capacity for 100), a vessel with service speed to make the journey in approximately five hours per crossing (currently the Cabo Star takes six hours on average).