NIDCO issues a request for a new inter-island cargo vessel to replace the Cabo Star
NIDCO has initiated a Request for Proposals for a new monohull inter-island cargo vessel, with a deadline for proposals set on May 10th, 2024.
A press release from NIDCO said the vessel must be completed by December 2026. Specifications include 200 VIP recliner seats, 40 en-suite passenger cabins, and space for trucks, trailers, and dangerous cargo, all compliant with the Trinidad and Tobago Shipping Act. While primarily for inter-island travel, it may also undertake international voyages. The vessel should accommodate a maximum of 24 crew members and be suitable for various cargo types and compliance regulations. The Cabo Star has been serving the inter-island cargo seabridge since July 2017. It is leased through the Bridgemans Service Group to the government of Trinidad and Tobago.
The current administration had promised to acquire a new specially built cargo ferry in 2017 following the collapse of the Seabridge.
