Westminster Group PLC (LON:WSG) has told investors it expects a 70-seater fast ferry, purchased by the company recently, to leave for Sierra Leone this week.
It will be the group’s second ferry - it will be named Sierra Princess - and it is expected to begin operations as soon as sea trails and in country formalities have been completed.
The group expects the addition of the Sierra Princess to be a key step in the expansion of its ferry services in Sierra Leone, where it operates a connection across the river between Freeport and Lungi International Airport.
“The Sierra Princess will be supplementing the Sierra Queen by providing new routes and services from terminals to different landing stages and in addition opening up a much needed water taxi service around the coastline,” Westminster said in a statement.
“A second vessel not only enhances the revenue potential of the operation but will also provide a backup service should either vessel be out of service for maintenance or repair.”
Westminster also updated investors on the ongoing wait for repairs to the Sierra Queen vessel, which earlier this year suffered minor hull damage.
The company said it is still waiting for the slip to vacated by the currently in-place vessel, and described the matter as a “source of continued frustration”.
Specialist technicians have carried out checks on the vessel whilst it remains in the water, and major items such as engines and gearboxes have been checked and are fully operational.
So far minor electrical problems have been identified, and are being corrected, and it is expected that two propeller blades will need replacing.
“From inspections by divers no serious damage can be seen below the waterline however once the slip is available and the vessel removed from the water the minor hull damage can be repaired, the two damaged propeller blades replaced and a full inspection below the waterline undertaken,” Westminster added.