Regional Ferry Firm Moves Up Launch Timetable

By Shanna Moore A privately-owned maritime transport firm backed by the regional private sector group has fast-tracked its timeline to the inauguration of a regional ferry service, announcing that it is about to buy the ships that could start sailing by August. Connect Caribe has reached a milestone by acquiring vessels earlier than anticipated, its chief executive said on Monday. The partnership between the ferry operator and the Caribbean Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) has seen the entry of Jampur Group, a shipping conglomerate based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, speeding up the progress towards acquiring the fleet of ships, according to Ambassador Dr Andre Thomas, CEO and chairman of parent company Pleion Group Inc. The development could bring forward the initial November launch to as early as August, he added. Thomas told reporters the partnerships had “taken the maritime initiative from concept to reality”. “Our partnership with the CPSO, whose data, guidance and leadership in implementing this project has served as accelerators, has been indispensable,” he said. “Their understanding of the commerce landscape has guided us in making strategic, logistical and tactical decisions.” Thomas highlighted Connect Caribe’s alliance with new shipping partner Jampur Group, a renowned UK and Africa operator...