The clang of steel, the spark of a welding torch, and the pride of local craftsmanship marked a major milestone on Tuesday as Guyanese shipbuilders officially began construction of two specialised vessels that will help support one of the country's largest emerging gold mining projects.
At the Guyana Port Inc. shipyard in Hope, East Bank Demerara, representatives of Guyana Port Inc. (GPI) and G Mining Ventures gathered alongside government officials, diplomats, engineers, contractors and workers to celebrate the keel laying and coin welding ceremony for a new tug and barge destined for the Oko West Gold Project in Region Seven.
For many of the Guyanese employees involved, the ceremony represented more than the start of another construction project—it symbolised growing confidence in local expertise and Guyana's expanding industrial capabilities.
The vessels, a 24-metre shallow-draft tug named G Mining Harpy Eagle and a 60-metre flat-deck barge named G Mining Arapaima, are being built to transport heavy equipment, construction materials and supplies through Guyana's river systems to support the development of the Oko West Gold Project.
Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Port Inc., Pritipaul Singh Jr., said the project demonstrates what can be achieved when international investment is combined with local talent.
"This keel laying ceremony represents far more than the start of vessel construction," Singh said. "It demonstrates what can be achieved through strong partnerships, strategic investment, and confidence in local capability."
He noted that the vessels are being built using a combination of international design expertise, local investment and Guyanese craftsmanship, helping to strengthen the country's growing shipbuilding sector.
The project is also creating opportunities for local workers and suppliers while showcasing the technical skills being developed at Guyana Port Inc.'s New Hope shipbuilding facility.
Representing G Mining Ventures, Founder and Chief Executive Officer Louis-Pierre Gignac said the partnership reflects the important role Guyanese businesses continue to play in the country's development.
"A ceremony such as this is more than steel and infrastructure," Gignac told attendees. "It is about partnership, progress, and the collective effort required to transform a world-class mineral resource into a world-class mining operation."
He revealed that development of the Oko West Gold Project remains on schedule and within budget, with construction activities accelerating and Guyanese making up the majority of the project's workforce.
"Each milestone brings us closer to our goal of first gold production in the second half of 2027," he said.
According to G Mining Ventures, the vessels will play a critical role in moving equipment and materials to remote locations, helping to ensure the efficient development of the mining operation.
Chief Operations Officer of Guyana Port Inc., Rajindra Singh, explained that the tug and barge were specifically designed for Guyana's riverine environment and the challenges associated with transporting cargo to interior locations.
"These vessels are more than marine assets; they are a logistics solution designed to support Guyana's growing mining sector," he said.
One of the most symbolic moments of the ceremony came during the traditional coin welding ritual, a centuries-old maritime custom believed to bring prosperity, protection and good fortune to a vessel and its future crew.
Following the ceremonial cutting of the first steel plate by Louis Gignac Sr., Chairman of G Mining Ventures, a commemorative coin was welded into the vessel's structure by Louis-Pierre Gignac, officially marking the beginning of construction.
The event concluded with the symbolic placement of the keel—the backbone of the vessel and the foundation upon which the entire structure will be built.
Among those attending were Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana Sébastien Sigouin, Director General of the Maritime Administration Department Captain Stephen Thomas, Senior Advisor to Government Robeson Benn, representatives of the Guyana Office for Investment, contractors, suppliers and employees from both companies.
The tug and barge form part of a major agreement signed between Guyana Port Inc. and G Mining Ventures in March 2025 and are expected to play a key role in supporting transportation and logistics operations for the Oko West Gold Project as construction progresses toward first gold production in 2027.
For the workers cutting steel and welding the vessels together in Hope, the project is also helping to build something much larger—a growing reputation for Guyana as a country capable of designing, constructing and delivering world-class maritime assets while supporting the rapid expansion of its mining and industrial sectors.
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