By Abigayle McIntosh

The private sector-led regional ferry service, Connect Caribe, is set to commence operations by September this year, according to confirmation from Ambassador Dr. Andre Thomas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the holding companies, Upturn Funds Caribbean and Pleion Group Inc.

He said the initiative is ahead of schedule. The group has entered into a partnership with Jampro, a shipping company in the United Arab Emirates, and they are progressing to phase two of the initiative.

Ambassador Dr. Andre Thomas mentioned in his remarks to the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation that they are partnering with Jampro, who will provide vessels suitable for Caribbean waters.

“They will be providing our first set of ships which are being acquired as we speak and very soon will be on their pay to Caribbean waters,” Thomas said.

They are aiming to start serving the region with 10 vessels.

The initiative, launched in January this year.

The focus routes for the project are Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Dominica, Suriname and Barbados.

Connect Caribe said its services will be a game changer in the transportation industry. The three vessels will have the capacity to transport up to 8,000 passengers, cargo, and manufactured goods and produce.