PORT FACTS

GUYANA

OVERVIEW

The Port of Georgetown is situated on the north coast of Guyana, along the East Bank of the
Demerara River. It stretches for 16 km inward from the river estuary, with an average depth of 4.5
meters at low tide. The Port of Georgetown is the countrys main port of entry, handling
approximately 90% of cargo; the other 10% is handled by the countrys other 2 ports. The port
mainly handles imports of containerized cargo (foodstuff, clothing and textiles, general
merchandise and hardware, and motor vehicles), break Bulk, petroleum, and heavy duty
machinery; exports mainly comprise sugar, rice, bauxite, rum, marine products, gold, lumber, and
scrap metal.
INSTITUTIONAL SETTING

The Port of Georgetown has a number of independent pier operators, either privately owned or
public corporations. The larger operators include; John Fernandes Ltd; Muneshwers Ltd; Guyana
National Shipping Corporation Ltd (GNSC), Guyana National Industrial Company Inc (GNIC);
Demerara Shipping Company Ltd; Demerara Sugar Terminals Ltd; and Deos International
Distribution Company Ltd (DIDCO). Additionally, the Guyana Sugar Corporation and Caribbean
Molasses Company Ltd operate bulk handling facilities for sugar and molasses, respectively. No
operators provide fully dedicated container handling facilities; however, some of the operators do
handle containers. Of these container cargo operators, Demerara Shipping, GNIC, GNSC, John
Fernandes, and Muneshwers constitute the largest parties in terms of container throughput. For
the purpose of this study, the two largest container handling operators, John Fernandes and
GNSC, have been further assessed.

The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), part of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure,
acts as the ports authority. Its main responsibilities include:

registering and licensing ships;

pilotage;
hydrographic surveys;
accident investigation; and
search and rescue.
The MARAD was established in 2003, and operates under the mandate of the 1997 Merchant
Shipping Act. Previously, the Transport & Harbours Department, another department of the
Ministry of Public Infrastructure, was tasked with the Port Authority responsibilities. As there is no
clear structure for overseeing and regulating the operations, the individual public/private operators
have substantial autonomy in developing their independent terminals.
OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

All individual operators decide on their own preferred working hours and days. Using Ships Own
Gear (SOG), GSNC typically reaches 12 14 containers move per hour. John Fernandes reaches
13.6 container moves per gang per hour, for a total of 27.2 berth moves per hour (when employing
2 gangs).
MAIN OPERATIONAL BOTTLENECKS

Fragmented operations: the lack of a coordinated approach in the ports has resulted in all
operators procuring their own equipment and employing their own labourers. The total
amount of equipment and labourers is substantially higher than justified by the total
combined cargo throughput.
Inadequate water depth: currently, water depth is only 6.2m alongside the berths at low
tide (John Fernandes); the access channel depth has deteriorated even further, to 4.5m
CD at low tide. This lack of water depth prohibits larger vessels from entering the port,
thus severely restricting operational efficiency and economies of scale.
Lack of modern terminals: most terminals use concrete pile structures with wooden decks
for quay structures. These quays entail substantial maintenance requirements, and limit
the use of heavy equipment. Additionally, lack of proper maintenance may result in safety
issues (some holes were identified between wooden planks). John Fernandes is currently
replacing the wooden structure by a paved apron area, in a phased sequence.
BERTHING FACILITIES

Berth Length (m) Depth (m) Commodities

John Fernandes Ltd. 190 6.3 7.2 Containers / Bulk /
RoRo
Guyana National 290 6.1 8.3 Containers / Breakbulk
Shipping Corp.
Guyana National 200 5.3 6.4 Containers / Breakbulk
Industrial Co.
Demerara Shipping Co 140 5.4 6.5 Containers
Ltd.
Muneshwers Ltd. 166 4.0 6.8 Containers
EQUIPMENT QUANTITY
Equipment Quantity
Demerara Shipping
Crawler Cranes (30 Ton) 1
Reach Stackers 2
Forklifts 11
Guyana National Industrial Co. (GNIC)
Crawler Cranes (30 Ton) 2
Crawler Crane (90 Ton) 1
Reach Stackers (5 High) 2
Forklifts 5
Tugs 2
Guyana National Shipping Co. (GNSC)
Crawler Cranes (32 Ton) 1
Crawler Crane (40 Ton) 1
Reach Stackers (5 High) 1
Empty Handler (4 High) 1
Side Loader (33 Ton) 1
Forklifts 16
John Fernandes Ltd.
Mobile Harbour Cranes (30 Ton) 2
Reach Stacker 4
Forklifts 12
Muneshwers Ltd.
Mobile Harbour Cranes (30 Ton) 1
Mobile Harbour Cranes (80 Ton) 1
Reach Stackers 1
Forklifts 8

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Roles & Responsibilities PA Private/Public
Infrastructure planning
Superstructure (buildings)
Equipment
Operational Labour
Towage
Pilotage
Mooring
Nautical Access
Hinterland Access
Port Management
PORT SPECIFICATIONS

Latitude 6 48' 55' N

Longitude: -58 -9' -15' W
UN/LOCODE: -
Port Type: Seaport
Port Size: Medium
Max Draft: 8.3 m

Harbor Characteristics
Harbor Size: Medium
Shelter: Fair
Maximum Vessel Size: Up to 500 feet in length
Harbor Type: River Natural
Turning Area:
Good Holding Ground: Yes

Entrance Restrictions
Tide: No
Overhead Limit: No
Swell: No
Other: -

Water Depth
Channel: 21 - 25 feet / 6.4 - 7.6 meters
Cargo Pier: 16 - 20 feet / 4.9 - 6.1 meters
Mean Tide: 2 feet
Anchorage: 16 - 20 feet / 4.9 - 6.1 meters
Oil Terminal: 11 - 15 feet / 3.4 - 4.6 meters

Pilotage
Compulsory: Yes
Available: Yes
Advisable: Yes
Local Assist: -

Lifts & Cranes

100+ Ton Lifts:
50-100 Ton Lifts:
25-49 Ton Lifts:
0-24 Ton Lifts: Yes
Fixed Cranes: Yes
Mobile Cranes: Yes
Floating Cranes: No

Port Services
Longshore: Yes
Electrical Repair: Yes
Steam: Yes
Electrical: Yes
Navigation Equipment: Yes

Supplies
Provisions: Yes
Fuel Oil: Yes
Deck: Yes
Water: Yes
Diesel Oil: Yes
Engine: Yes

Repairs, Drydock, Railway & Other Services

Ship Repairs: Major
Marine Railroad Size:
Degauss:
Drydock Size: Small
Garbage Disposal:
Dirty Ballast: No
CUSTOMS BROKERAGE

Company Address Contact Number Email

5-9 Lombard +592 226- gnsc@guyana.net.gy
Street, La 1435/1247
Penitence,
Georgetown,
Guyana, South
America
D&J Shipping 592-223-6065/57 djss@guyana.net.gy
C&V Shipping Ltd 592-227-1245/592- richard@cvshipping.com
231-9761/2

HAULAGE

Company Contact
Plummer Trucking Service 592-654-1577