The maiden voyage of the Hoegh Caribia was celebrated with a cocktail reception on the ship’s decks yesterday. It is owned by Hoegh Autoliners, one of the world’s largest vehicles carriers. Guyana National Industrial Company (GNIC) is the local agent/terminal operator for the company.
It is the intention of Hoegh to significantly improve not only the motor vehicle importation service from the Far East to and from Guyana, but also to expand its product ranges to heavy equipment, project cargo and other export product s such as plywood. “Notwithstanding the present international economic crisis, it is estimated that the local demand for vehicles will continue to increase from current annual levels of 4,000 units to more than 5,000 to 6,000 units in the short to medium term,” said Clinton Williams, Chief Executive Officer of GNIC. He said that the companies’ mutual objective is to increase their current market share in the vehicle importation business as well as to penetrate new markets for project and other types of cargo.
Recalling that this year would be 14 years since GNIC entered into an Agency and Terminal Operations Agreement with Hoegh Autoliners, having previously served in a similar capacity with the predecessor company, Hoegh Ugland Autoliners, he said that the last five years have been exciting and demanding. He said they were able to discharge over 12,000 units in that time, with an average of 2,500 units per year representing a local market share of 60%.
Williams pointed out that Guyana’s economic development is inextricably linked to its trade competitiveness, which in turn is almost entirely dependent on the standard and efficiency of the maritime transportation sector, given that the sector is by far the most economic means for the movement of cargo in the international arena. He said that this is why GNIC’s short to medium term programme continues to be centred along the provision of maritime services and transportation logistics which has been its core business from the inception.
The GNIC head said that the company has come a long way from the time it commenced their relationship with Hoegh in 1996 and this has been recognised by the companies it handles. However, he noted that the international economic downturn has adversely impacted the performance of the company’s shipyard but added that it is devising strategies to deal with this.
Also making remarks were Tore Listad, Hoegh’s South American representative. Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn was also present. The new initiative, according to the company, is likely to boost international trade competitiveness not only to the Far East and Europe but also to Suriname and other Caribbean islands such as Trinidad and Jamaica, which are the main ports of call for this feeder service. Höegh Autoliners of Norway is one of the world’s leading auto and roll on/roll off carriers.
