A plan announced by Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister to launch a temporary regional cargo ferry service aimed at cutting inter-island trade costs has sparked concerns from top Tobago business leaders, who warn that domestic transportation capacity for the island is already stretched dangerously thin. The proposal was brought forward by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in the wake of the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom held in St Lucia, where she reaffirmed the government’s commitment to easing regional cargo expenses by offering a Trinidad and Tobago-owned vessel for cross-regional cargo movement.
In comments following the announcement, Minister of Works and Infrastructure Jearlean John told local media on Thursday that the prime minister had extended the offer of ferry access to Caricom member states, and confirmed the government has a actionable plan to roll out the regional service. But Diane Hadad, a prominent Tobago businesswoman and former head of the Tobago Division of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, is pushing for clear answers before the government moves forward with implementation. Hadad says she broadly supports efforts to strengthen regional trade, but argues that putting Tobago’s already overburdened domestic seabridge at risk is not an acceptable trade-off.
Hadad pointed to the fragile state of Tobago’s current cargo infrastructure, noting that the island relies on just one dedicated cargo vessel, the Blue Wave Harmony, whose reliability she described as precarious. “It is only in God we trust that it performs right,” she told reporters. Hadad says her working assumption is that the government plans to reassign one of the country’s existing fast ferries to the new regional route, but she questions whether any vessel can be pulled from domestic service without crippling Tobago’s supply chains. She highlighted that Tobago already struggles with inadequate service during peak travel periods, including long weekends, summer holidays, and the Easter and Christmas seasons, when additional sailings are rarely approved by the Port Authority.
Tobago depends entirely on the Blue Wave Harmony for consistent cargo movement, Hadad explained, with fast ferries only used to carry limited extra cargo when the dedicated vessel is out of service for maintenance or repairs. “When that cargo vessel goes down, we then rely on any one of the fast ferries that they allow us to put certain tonnage vehicles on, and that’s what brings the necessary items across. Other than that, we are crippled,” she said. Hadad says she remains unconvinced that the country’s existing ferry fleet can support both the new regional service and meet Tobago’s domestic transportation needs. “I’m not sure what capacity we have to go up the islands and make food cheaper for anybody,” she said. “I think a lot more information needs to be given so that we can make informed decisions. There has been no proper communication with the real stakeholders.”
She also raised additional concerns about the reliability of the country’s existing ferry fleet: the Galleons Passage, while capable of carrying cargo, has drawn frequent complaints from passengers over its poor performance in rough seas compared to older vessels the Buccoo Reef and APT James. Meanwhile, the T&T Spirit remains out of service for unspecified reasons, and the operational status of the T&T Express is unclear, Hadad added.
Curtis Williams, current chairman of the Tobago Division of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, echoed Hadad’s measured approach. Williams welcomed the regional ferry proposal in principle, calling it “a positive and forward-thinking initiative” that has the potential to cut transportation costs, expand regional trade, stimulate cross-Caribbean tourism, and bring down the overall cost of living across the region. But like Hadad, he says the success of the project hinges entirely on whether Trinidad and Tobago actually has the excess maritime capacity to sustain the new service without harming domestic operations.
Williams noted that the idea of a regional ferry service is not new – a similar plan was proposed by the previous national administration but never moved forward. He says ongoing concerns about vessel availability and reliability persist, particularly because the domestic seabridge between Trinidad and Tobago has already dealt with regular service disruptions caused by mechanical failures and a limited active fleet. “The Government must first ensure that there is sufficient maritime capacity, reliable vessels, adequate maintenance arrangements and a sustainable operational model before committing to such an undertaking,” Williams said in a written response to media inquiries.
Williams added that long-term success for any regional ferry service depends on consistent, uninterrupted operations. “Businesses and travellers must have confidence that schedules will be maintained and that the service can operate without recurring interruptions. Without these assurances, the initiative could face the same challenges that prevented previous proposals from becoming a reality,” he said.