Havana will have no service from the Regla ferry until March

Since February 20, the passenger ferry service in the Bay of Havana has been suspended due to the break of the shaft line on the vessel "Giraldilla," the only one that was operational in recent weeks.

Thus reported the Cuban Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, who detailed that currently work is being carried out on lathe operations and adjustments to the bushings, propeller, and other mechanical elements for their repair. It is expected that the "Giraldilla" will be reintegrated into service on March 10.

On the same day that the breakdown occurred, the planned launching of the vessel "La Coubre" took place after an extended repair process.

The minister stated that initially scheduled for a shorter period, the rehabilitation of "La Coubre" was extended by an additional four months due to the identification of more complex work and the interruptions caused by the country's energy situation.

Improvements made to the vessel include the installation of a new engine acquired with revenue from the transportation system, the replacement of hull plates, interventions in the electrical and structural areas, as well as adjustments to the cabin and safety system. "La Coubre" is expected to come into operation on March 1st.

According to Leandro Méndez Peña, the general director of the Provincial Transport Company of Havana, other vessels intended for maritime service, such as "4to Congreso" and the tugboat ABA 3, are at various stages of repair, while the "300 Aniversario" is awaiting funding for its maintenance.

Over the years, the Lanchita de Regla has faced numerous operational challenges. Indeed, last year was no exception.

In February 2024, Minister Rodríguez Dávila reported that out of the six boats designated for this service, only one was operational, while the other five were out of service due to technical issues.

The arrival of three new engines was expected by the end of March to facilitate repairs, with the goal of adding a second boat by the end of April, another during the semester, and two more at the beginning of 2025.

In May, the service was temporarily suspended on the 20th due to a malfunction in the only operational vessel, when the propeller detached and fell into the water.

After repair work, the service resumed on May 25 with the inclusion of "La Giraldilla," which had undergone a major repair.

The minister announced that a second boat, the "IV Congreso," was expected to join by the end of that week, and mentioned the arrival of two new engines to continue the fleet recovery process.

Throughout the year, the service was also affected by adverse weather conditions.

In September, the Provincial Transport Company of Havana suspended the service due to the worsening weather associated with Hurricane Helene, a measure that remained in effect as long as the adverse conditions persisted.

Similarly, in November, the service was temporarily interrupted due to adverse weather conditions that affected navigation in Havana Bay.

These disruptions have caused inconvenience among users who depend on the "Lanchita de Regla" for their daily commutes between Regla, Casablanca, and Old Havana.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Suspension of the Regla Ferry Service in Havana