Boat operators along the backtrack route between Guyana and Suriname are reporting a rise in passenger traffic since the MV Canawaima ferry service was suspended, although numbers have levelled off in recent days.
Proprietor of Golden Gloves Boat Service, Mohamed Mursaline, told Ignite News that passenger numbers fluctuated after the closure but have since stabilised, with the service now carrying close to 200 people on some days, compared with fewer than 120 when the ferry was operating.
“Since the ferry breakdown, or the closure of the ferry, we had fluctuating passenger numbers, which is something very good the government introduced to get the people stamped,” Mursaline said.
He said some passengers were stranded for several days with limited access to food, accommodation and money, prompting operators to help them cross the river, although they were still required to return to have their passports stamped.
Mursaline said his operation makes about seven trips, depending on demand, with fares generally ranging between $4,000 and $5,000, although operators sometimes lower their fares for passengers who are struggling financially.
“We don’t have a standard price,” he said. “Some people… run out of money and all these things, and you have to flex with them.”
He said traffic has also increased as families travel between Guyana and Suriname, with schools now closed in Suriname.
“At this moment, for the past couple of years, more people are coming,” Mursaline said.
The Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC), in a statement, said it supports the decision by maritime authorities to prioritise passenger and crew safety while outstanding issues concerning the vessel are addressed.
The SGCC also flagged the need for alternative arrangements for passengers and operators facing unexpected costs and delays, and called for clarity on when a replacement vessel will be deployed while the MV Canawaima is under repair. It also identified the need for a secondary ferry to be kept as a backup.
According to the SGCC, the disruption underscores the need for investment in a new, more reliable ferry and a sustainable management model for the service. It pointed to a Public-Private Partnership proposal it submitted in February 2025, aimed at making the Canawaima service more reliable, commercially sustainable and resilient.
