International engineering giant Bechtel is working closely with the Government of Guyana to develop a deep-water port in Berbice, Region Rix (East Berbice-Corentyne). This is according to President of the South American country, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali.
The facility is expected to play a central role in the country’s expanding gas development and regional trade infrastructure, particularly as Berbice emerges as a major logistics and industrial hub.
“We are working with an international company, Bechtel, as we are evaluating and doing the final set of work for the deep-water port that will support the next gas development here in region six,” Ali told residents during a community outreach in New Amsterdam over the weekend.
Initial talks between Bechtel and the Guyanese government date back to 2020, when the company’s executives met with the President and members of his Cabinet to explore opportunities for major infrastructure development.
‘We have to build the Berbice deepwater port’ – President Ali
The Berbice Deepwater Port is among several transformational projects underway in East Berbice–Corentyne, including a stadium, a shopping mall, and a new four-lane highway linking New Amsterdam to Moleson Creek. Plans are also in motion for a transmission line to facilitate electricity exports from a potential second gas plant in Berbice.
According to Ali, the deepwater facility will strengthen offshore energy logistics and serve as a major trade enabler, especially once the bridge linking Guyana and Suriname is completed.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has been actively involved in shaping the vision for the port. In August 2024, he disclosed that multiple proposals had been received and evaluated based on feasibility, developer expertise, and financial strength.
“We believe that the best model should be a causeway model going out, right into the deep, that would allow the largest vessels in the world to come here,” Jagdeo stated.
While acknowledging that the causeway model may incur higher upfront costs, he underlined its long-term benefits—including reduced dredging requirements and the capacity to accommodate Panamax-class and larger vessels.
