Modern ferry will reinforce passenger and cargo transport to the Isla de la Juventud.

Alejandro García Corrales, general director of the Port Maritime Transport Business Group (Gemar), told Granma that the negotiations for the acquisition of this ship would meet the needs of increasing transportation capacities between both ports.

The ferry has the capacity to transport about 400 passengers, vehicles and rolled cargo. 

A modern ferry will begin the passenger and cargo transportation service between the ports of Batabanó and Gerona, in the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud.

Alejandro García Corrales, general director of the Port Maritime Transport Business Group (Gemar), told Granma that the negotiations for the acquisition of this ship would meet the needs of increasing transportation capacities between both ports.

He added that the ferry made a journey from Asian shipyards to Cuba, which served to demonstrate the quality of the propulsion systems and other parameters in general.

However, García Corrales added, now paint touch-ups and other improvements will be carried out in accordance with the existing regulations in Cuba for the operation of ships and in order to ensure greater comfort for passengers.

Likewise, several procedures will be carried out to put the ship at the beginning of its class cycle, and, with this, it will be able to be exploited without having to return to the shipyard, for at least two and a half years.

The manager noted that after these works she will be transferred, in a few weeks, to the port of Gerona to start the service, and stressed that the catamarans will be maintained as a complement.

The ferry has the capacity to transport about 400 passengers, plus vehicles and rolled cargo, and must make the Girona-Batabanó route in approximately five hours.

García Corrales explained that a rotation of alternate days with a round trip and a return trip is expected, although it is subject to analysis and final decision with the authorities of the territory and other entities involved.