The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), under the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, has issued an Invitation for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the salvage of the Motor Vessel Barima, a passenger and cargo ferry that lies wrecked in soft mud off the Guyanese coast.
The vessel sank two weeks ago, resulting in the deaths of over 100 passengers.
Previously, the Government, through the Prime Minister Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips, had noted that the salvaging of the vessel lies solely with the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy two weeks ago.
According to documents seen by the Guyana Standard, the MV Barima, registered in Georgetown, measures 38.6 meters in length, with a beam of 8.9 meters and depth of 2.9 meters. The vessel is powered by twin Caterpillar C18 diesel engines and generator sets. It currently rests at approximately Latitude 07° 28′.213 North, Longitude 058° 23′.443 West, in waters between 13–15 meters deep, where strong currents and poor visibility present significant operational challenges.
MARAD is seeking experienced marine salvage contractors with a proven track record in the Caribbean region. Interested companies must demonstrate:
- A corporate profile and years of operation in marine salvage
- Evidence of successful salvage projects over the past 5–10 years
- A proposed technical approach for the MV Barima recovery, including measures to protect forensic evidence for the ongoing Commission of Inquiry
- Environmental protection strategies
- Deployment plans for personnel and equipment
- An indicative timeline for operations
- Capacity to stow the vessel upright on a barge for several weeks
- Willingness to operate under “no cure, no pay” or similar agreements
- Proof of insurance, safety systems, and compliance with Guyana’s maritime regulations
Submission Details EOIs must be submitted electronically in PDF format to [email protected] by close of business on Friday, August 14, 2026. Submissions should not exceed ten pages, excluding appendices such as CVs and project sheets.
MARAD says it reserves the right to shortlist firms and issue a detailed Request for Proposals (RFP) with technical specifications, site data, and commercial terms. The agency also retains discretion to annul or re-advertise the process.
