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LONDON (Alliance News) - Westminster Group PLC on Thursday said the damage sustained to the Sierra Queen ferry appears limited, although it must wait to be removed from the water before repairs can commence.
Westminster Group revealed on Wednesday that its flagship vessel, the Sierra Queen, sustained some minor damage from an uncharted submerged obstacle while transiting between terminals.
On Thursday, the group provided an update saying the vessel is currently securely moored in the boat yard, awaiting access to the slip which is anticipated to be vacated within 7 to 10 days. The damage appears limited and has been made safe, Westminster Group said, but cannot be fully repaired whilst the ferry remains in the water.
The Sierra Queen, based in Sierra Leone in West Africa, had recently successfully completed sea trials after suffering months of delays to the start of operations when tests showed repair work was needed on air conditioning and hull strengthening. Later, its prop shaft had to be sent to the UK for repairs.
It was finally able to commence sea trials in late December, which were completed at the end of last month.
The Sierra Queen will be used to transport people between Freetown International Airport and the capital city of Freetown.
"Regarding the latest news about the ferry I obviously share the frustration and disappointment that both shareholders and potential customers must feel, and I sincerely hope any delays will be short lived and that we can commence the service as soon as possible," Chief Executive Peter Fowler said in a statement.
Also on Thursday, Westminster Group said passenger numbers at its West Africa airport operations are recovering well from the Ebola epidemic, with the first quarter of 2016 achieving the three highest months in terms of daily passengers and revenue since August 2014. Passenger numbers in the quarter were 80% ahead of the same period in 2015.
Meanwhile, progress and momentum continues within the airport security division, Westminster Group said, with continued growth and interest being shown in its services from organisations globally.
Progress has been made relating to two memorandum of understandings it secured earlier in the year. The first, granting Westminster Group to handle aviation security at "several international airports" with an unnamed client, was signed in January, and the group's survey team is now due to begin contract negotiations at the end of April following the completion of gap analysis works.
The second is for a similar contract with a civil aviation authority in the Middle East signed in March, and the survey team is now preparing to undertake gap analysis next week.
"Whilst there is of course no certainty as to timing or the final outcome of the project opportunities in progress, we believe the progress we are making with a number of these long-term, large-scale, MoUs now in play, any one of which would be transformational for Westminster, and the momentum we are seeing together with the current security situation worldwide, is encouraging and we will of course continue to update the market on progress in due course," Fowler said.
Westminster Group provides security services to governments, non-governmental organisations and blue-chip commercial organisations worldwide.
Shares in Westminster Group were trading up 2.2% at 10.60 pence on Thursday morning.
By Karolina Kaminska; karolinakaminska@alliancenews.com @KarolinaAllNews
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