NEW YORK - The United Nations has developed a plan to initiate a network of ferry services in the Caribbean. Four routes are included, including one route that includes Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao.  

Another route must connect Suriname and Guyana via a ferry with Trinidad and Tobago, which is seen as the most important node in the network.  

In the coming period, consultations will be held with the countries concerned about their willingness to participate, reports the Dutch site for maritime news, Schuttevaer.  

The project proposal was written by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.  

According to Schuttevaer, the plans are not new, there has been talk for decades about ferry connections that are expected to be cheaper and certainly cleaner than the usual airlines. Above all, the ferry services should stimulate trade between the countries. 

But due to the vastness of the area and the associated complexity, no one has ever dared to come up with a concrete proposal.  

The route that Suriname will be part of has been identified as the most viable of the four as it shows the best profit margins for the service. According to the study, a frequency of two sailings per week would require one ship.

There is a preference for the use of a fast ferry, which can transport trucks with fresh (agricultural) products, among other things. This could promote trade between countries. 

There is still a lot of work to be done, says Schuttevaer, before the proposed ferry connections will be operational. Countries that want to become part of the connection network must provide decent quay facilities.  

Much also depends on the available port capacity. This needs to be addressed to ensure that the time the ships have to spend in ports is as short as possible for better operational efficiency. Customs and immigration rules for goods and people also need to be reviewed.