Caption: THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine
Summary
- THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine says Tobago cannot keep facing cargo disruptions during vessel changeovers.
- The MV Blue Wave Harmony resumed cargo runs and docked safely in Scarborough, but full commercial service is now targeted for March 1.
- Augustine apologised for a lapse in THA communication, citing a personal emergency and Carnival timing.
- The THA has ordered an economic impact assessment (from Jan 12 to now) but Augustine has not promised compensation.
- Longer-term, the THA wants a say in procuring a permanent cargo vessel and is studying whether Tobago can maintain three months of food supply in a major disruption.
By Prior Beharry
TOBAGO House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Farley Augustine says repeated disruptions to cargo service between Trinidad and Tobago must not be allowed to continue.
He said that each transition from one vessel to another has brought upheaval and tested public patience.
“I don’t want us to be caught in this situation again,” Augustine said at a news conference in Scarborough on on Sunday the same day the MV Blue Wave Harmony arrived at the Tobago port from Port of Spain.
Augustine described the challenges surrounding the Blue Wave Harmony as part of a longer pattern dating back to 2017, saying Tobagonians have grown increasingly frustrated with delays, incidents and uncertainty whenever a vessel is being changed.
“I asked for patience… and (then) there were some accidents and incidents here in Tobago with the ramp… and, rightfully, Tobago your patience is running out,” he said.
He also apologised for a lack of updates last week after missing a scheduled post-Executive Council news conference, explaining that a personal emergency and the Carnival period affected timing even as the situation remained serious.
“I have apologised, certainly for my lack of communication,” Augustine said.
On the recent docking incident in Scarborough during sea trials, Augustine said it would be premature to decide who should apologise without an official report.
“It’s difficult to say who should apologise… without me seeing a report,” he said, adding it was not yet clear whether the cause was human error or another factor.
THA to assess economic fallout
Augustine said the THA’s response would go beyond restoring operations, with a focus on measuring the disruption’s economic impact. He announced the Division of Finance, Trade and the Economy has been tasked with assessing the cost to businesses from January 12 — when the Cabo Star went out of commission — to the current period of limited operations for the Blue Wave Harmony.
“That meaningful action starts with the collection of data,” he said, stressing the goal was to avoid speculation and determine what measures may be needed to support businesses.
However, Augustine said he had not committed to compensation.
“I have not promised compensation. I have simply said it’s been considered. And for that to be considered, we need the data,” he said.
He added the THA would not repeat what he described as the approach in 2017, when service resumed without a formal review of the economic damage.
March 1 deadline for full operations
Augustine said the Blue Wave Harmony arrived about two weeks after the Cabo Star was sidelined — the fastest replacement arrival he could recall — but accidents during sea trials, including a docking incident in rough seas, delayed full commercial operations.
He said he was assured the vessel is expected to begin full operations on March 1.
“As an island we expect that this deadline will be held,” Augustine said, noting he raised safety concerns with Works and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John and received written clarification from the vessel’s agent.
According to correspondence he read aloud, the vessel was designed with two bow thrusters for redundancy, and international maritime standards allow one functional thruster to provide total thrust capacity. The second thruster, he said, was under maintenance and expected to be repaired within a week.
Goods distribution strained, rural shops hit
Augustine said the cargo disruptions are already affecting distribution across Tobago. After meeting with Studley Park Enterprise Ltd, he said businesses reported difficulty moving goods from Port of Spain.
He said major supermarkets appeared stocked, but smaller rural shops were facing shortages. He also cited reports from manufacturers — including cereal and chocolate producers — that products were not reaching shelves, along with limited snack supplies and continuing difficulty sourcing cement, steel and other building materials.
He confirmed the Blue Wave Harmony docked in Scarborough at 8.15 a.m. without incident, carrying 170 vehicles — including 24 trucks, eight vans and four cars — along with containers and flatbeds. No dangerous goods were transported, and departure was delayed by an hour to allow additional time for unloading and loading.
Sea trials are expected to continue this week while the vessel carries cargo between the islands ahead of the planned March 1 launch of full commercial operations.
Push for permanent solution and resilience planning
Augustine said the THA wants to be involved in any procurement process for a permanent cargo vessel and does not want to wait until the Blue Wave Harmony’s one-year tenure ends to pursue a long-term fix. He also noted that while the THA has responsibility for transportation connectivity, assuming full control would carry major financial implications.
He said the disruption is also affecting Trinidad-based businesses supplying Tobago, and he plans to travel on the vessel with truckers and industry representatives. He confirmed the Chamber of Commerce has written to the THA requesting a meeting.
Beyond the immediate crisis, Augustine said the THA has been researching whether Tobago can maintain at least three months of food supply in case a major event disrupts port operations in Port of Spain, referencing regional earthquakes and other potential shocks.
The longer-term goal, he said, is for Tobago to be able to feed itself for three months without external supplies — while also addressing the island’s limited manufacturing base, even if it requires difficult funding decisions.
“We have to get to a place where we have at least three months’ worth of food at any given time,” he said.
