The Government and private sector are working towards establishing a shipbuilding facility in Guyana, as efforts intensify to expand the country’s marine industry beyond the construction of barges to the manufacturing of larger vessels and ships.
President of the Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG) and former Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Dr. Komal Singh, disclosed that the initiative is being pursued as demand for new vessels, maintenance services and dry-docking facilities continues to increase.
Singh explained that Guyana has already developed a local base of skilled workers and companies engaged in barge construction, providing an opportunity for the country to expand into more advanced shipbuilding operations.
He revealed that approximately 10 to 12 local businesses are currently involved in constructing barges, either for their own operations or for sale to other companies.
“Government is pushing very hard right now with the private sector to see if we can move from just building barges to building vessels and ships that they also require through their system,” Singh disclosed.
According to the businessman, the growing demand for vessels across Guyana’s expanding maritime industry has created opportunities for local companies to move beyond their traditional activities.
He pointed out that the need for new vessels, maintenance and dry-docking services has increased significantly, creating the conditions for further investment in the sector.
While acknowledging that shipbuilding requires more specialised expertise than barge construction, Singh expressed confidence that Guyana already possesses a considerable portion of the skilled workforce needed to support such an undertaking.
He noted that many of the barges currently being constructed in Guyana are being built by local workers, demonstrating the technical capabilities already available.
However, he explained that the transition to constructing larger vessels would require additional technical support, including specialised skills that may need to be sourced from overseas.
Singh said this should not be viewed as a major obstacle, given the industry’s existing experience in combining local expertise with foreign technical support.
The proposed expansion comes as Guyanese companies are already investing in marine infrastructure and vessel construction.
In June 2026, Guyana Port Incorporated commenced construction of a US$5 million tug and barge for Canadian mining company G Mining Ventures to support transportation and logistics operations at its Oko West Gold Project.
The project, being undertaken at the company’s shipyard at Hope, East Bank Demerara (EBD), represents one example of the growing capacity of local businesses to manufacture marine vessels.
Guyana Port Incorporated had also previously outlined ambitions to expand its operations into constructing larger cargo vessels and, eventually, oil tankers.
Meanwhile, the demand for trained maritime workers is expected to increase as Guyana expands its port infrastructure, offshore activities and shipping operations.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali had previously disclosed that approximately 2,000 additional workers would be required over a five-to-seven-year period to support the growing maritime sector, with efforts underway to expand training and certification opportunities for Guyanese.
Singh said Guyana’s existing workforce provides a foundation for the development of a more advanced shipbuilding industry.
He also highlighted the capabilities of locally trained marine personnel, noting that Guyanese captains currently operate GAICO’s major dredging vessels.
The businessman maintained that the combination of local skills and additional technical expertise would position the country to expand its participation in vessel construction.
