President Irfaan Ali said the shortlist of companies to salvage the MV Barima is completed and that the shortlisted bidders will submit their priced proposals next week.
The MV Barima sank on 19 July 2026 about 10 miles off the Essequibo coast while enroute from Georgetown to Port Kaituma. The estimated total aboard was 179 passengers and crew. Authorities said 76 persons were rescued and the bodies of 72 others were recovered.
About ten companies had submitted expressions of interest by the August 14 deadline. The expression of interest process closed on 14 August 2026. The shortlist is based on those expressions of interest, and priced proposals will be submitted in one week.
The opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has repeatedly called for details about the expression of interest process. The presidential commission of inquiry into the incident has not yet begun public hearings. The vessel’s captain, first mate and the goods superintendent of the Transport and Harbours Department have been charged with murder.
The article was last updated on Monday, 31 August 2026, at 21:56 by Denis Chabrol.
