Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, July 2017 – Bridgemans Services Group LP (BSG) is pleased to announce that its vessel, MV Cabo Star, began regularly scheduled cargo ferry service today between Trinidad and Tobago. Operating under contract for the island nation’s Ministry of Works and Transport (MOWT), the 158-metre vessel departed from Port of Spain, Trinidad just after 6:00 pm local time bound for Scarborough. The vessel arrived without incident with trucks aboard containing much much-needed cargo for citizens and business owners of Tobago, which has been without regularly-scheduled cargo service for approximately four months.
“This is another milestone in the evolution of Bridgemans Services, and demonstrates in no uncertain terms the capabilities of our people and assets,” said company president, Brian Grange. “Our team overcame challenges that arose from having a very short time frame in which to acquire an ideal vessel in a tight market and reposition it for service to our Ministry clients, who were understandably quite anxious to re-establish a transportation link that is vital to the people of Tobago.”
With a cargo capacity of 4988 tons and space for approximately 130 trucks on four decks, Cabo Star has ample capability to serve the needs of cargo companies and their customers, including during peak-season periods. The vessel, which was built in 1998 and until recently served as a cargo ferry in Mexico, features amenities that include a swimming pool, exercise facilities, lounge areas with large-screen televisions and sleeping cabins.
“We have made a commitment to our client to deliver higher standards of reliability, service and passenger comforts than have ever before been realized on the Sea Bridge,” said Grange. “Cabo Star is a fantastic vessel for these purposes, but it will be even better after we complete plans to further refurbish the passenger areas and optimize performance.”
Government ministers, local officials, business leaders and media undertook a tour of Cabo Star in Port of Spain on July 20. The following day the vessel completed a successful return trial run to Scarborough, where a similar representative contingent from Tobago toured the vessel and expressed relief and approval to BSG representatives and to reporters.