The government of Guyana has taken delivery of a newbuild tugboat to support harbour operations, dredging and vessel docking
Guyana’s Ministry of Public Works’ Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has welcomed the arrival of a new harbour tug in a bid to increase its capabilities.
Damen Shipyards built stan tug Arau and transported it on cargo ship Vertom Joy to Guyana where it arrived at the beginning of June 2025.
This 16-m tugboat has a beam of 6 m and is capable of towing and manoeuvring ships of between 10,000 gt and 20,000 gt.
It is the second new vessel MARAD has acquired in the past two years, as it commissioned pilot boat Arapaima in 2023.
MARAD minister of public works Juan Edghill said the ministry is investing in new vessels and facilities to meet international standards and modernise its fleet.
“This is not just about adding vessels but also about building capacity in the maritime sector,” he said. “Had we not made those initial investments, the maritime sector would have been playing catch-up. We would have been left as inoperable.”
As part of this strategy, MARAD has procured vessels; refurbished its vessel Kimbia to handle increased cargo and support the growing offshore oil industry; and has started a seafarer recruitment and training campaign to find personnel for Guyana-flagged vessels.
