A Netherlands-based company which specialises in the removal and salvaging of maritime wrecks yesterday signed an almost $800 million contract to remove three sunken vessels from the Demerara River.
KOOLE Contractors was selected for the job after going through the procurement process with the Maritime Administration and Ministry of Public Works. The total cost of the project is $787.6 million.
Over the next nine months the company will be focussed on removing three vessels – the Dar-B, Alana 3, and Miss Ellisa – which are all in proximity to the mouth of the Demerara River.
Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, who witnessed the signing said the removal of the wrecks opens up the Georgetown harbour for two-way passage, an integral component for maritime traffic.
Currently, he explained, there are 120 wrecks across the country threatening the safety of vessels. In the Demerara harbour alone, he noted there are 16 and the removal of the vessels is the start of a robust programme to clear the river.
“Some of these wrecks mean the channels have become narrow and you will have to wait for a vessel to go out and when that departs then another comes in. [With] the removal of these wrecks and dredging anticipated to take place, we expect to have two-way traffic,” Edghill said in brief remarks prior to the signing.
He noted that with wrecks in the rivers there can be delays in shipment and it requires expert manoeuvring to prevent any collision with objects below the water. As such, he pointed out that the removal of the wrecks will enhance the safety for crew members.
Port Georgetown, Edghill pointed out, has become extremely busy with the advent of oil and as such it is important that the channels are free and vessels are able to operate in a safe space.
Prior to oil, an estimated 30 ships would stop in Georgetown per month, but this number has climbed significantly and it is now estimated that by 2022 in excess of 3,000 vessels will be visiting the port.
The minister said in “2019 we had 2,922 vessels, in 2020, the COVID period, there was 2,037, and as of now we have had 2,500 vessels here,” he explained.
The minister also stated that with the channels being cleared of the wrecks, when the four-lane harbour bridge comes on stream, vessels will be able to easily navigate their way.
“This project of the removal of wrecks is also coming in tandem with us building a high-span four-lane new Demerara Bridge. Which will mean that once the tide allows, you can have unhindered access into Port Georgetown 24 hours every day,” he disclosed.
KOOLE Contractors’ representative, Janneke Kuijper, assured that they will work to keep to their timeline and deliver work on par with their international standards.
The company’s website states that they were founded in 1988, originally as a demolition company focussed on the industrial sector. The constant growth of the company, resulted in expansion abroad for KOOLE. In addition to expanding the organisation abroad, the services also expanded. KOOLE has intensified its maritime services through the acquisition of Mammoet Salvage.
In addition, the company says it has an extensive track record of various projects in the maritime sector with specialised and floating equipment being the base of international operations.
