Transport in Suriname

Bridge near Potribo

The Republic of Suriname (Dutch: Republiek Suriname) has a number of forms of transport. Transportation emissions are an increasing part of Suriname's contributions to climate change, as part of the Nationally Determined Contributions for the Paris Agreement, Suriname has committed to emissions controls for vehicles and increased public transit investment.^[1]

Railways

• Railways, total: 166 km single track.^[2]
  • standard gauge: 80 km 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) gauge in West-Suriname, but not in use. This stretch was constructed as part of the West Suriname Plan.
  • narrow gauge: 86 km 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) gauge Lawa Railway from Onverwacht to Sarakreek,^[3] currently not in use. In 2014, a plan had been announced to reopen the line between Onverwacht and Paramaribo Central Station. The intention was for the line to be extended onto Paramaribo Adolf Pengel Airport,^[4] but as of May 2020, the project has not started.

Rail links with adjacent countries

• None

Highways

Main article: Roads in Suriname

Main roads in Suriname

East-West Link

Southern East-West Link

Desiré Delano Bouterse Highway

Avobakaweg

Ghaama Agbagoweg

Statistics

• total: 4,304 km (2003)^[5]
• paved: 1,119 km (2003)^[5]
• highway: 9.6 km (2020)^[6]
• unpaved: 3,174 km (2003)^[5]

NOTE: Driving is on the left.^[7] Suriname and its neighbour Guyana are the only two countries on the (in-land) American continent which still drive on the left.

Road links with adjacent countries

• Guyana - Yes, ferry from Nieuw-Nickerie to Corriverton.^[8]
• Brazil - None.
• French Guiana - Yes, ferry from Albina to Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni.^[8]

Waterways

1,200 km; most important means of transport; oceangoing vessels with drafts ranging up to 7 m can navigate many of the principal waterways.^[2]

Ports and harbours

• Albina
• Moengo
• Nieuw-Nickerie
• Paramaribo: Jules Sedney Harbour is the main harbour for cargo.^[9]
• Paramaribo: Waterkant is used by ferries.^[10]
• Paranam
• Wageningen

Merchant marine

• total: 10 ships.^[11]
• ships by type: (2018)
  • cargo ship 5
  • petroleum tanker 3
  • other 2

Airports

• 55 (2013)^[2]
• List of airports in Suriname

Paved runways

• total: 6^[12]
• over 3,047 m: 1
• under 914 m: 5 (2013)

Unpaved runways

• total: 49^[13]
• 914 to 1,523 m: 4
• under 914 m: 45 (2013)

See also

• Rail transport by country

References

1. "Suriname's climate promise, for a sustainable future". UN News. 2020-01-31. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
2. "Suriname Transport". Nation Master. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
3. "De Vraagbaak. Almanak voor Suriname 1913". Digital Library for Dutch Literature (in Dutch). 1912. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
4. "Suriname railway plan announced". Railway Gazette International. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2020..
5. "CIA Factbook 2003". Central Intelligence Agency". Retrieved 13 May 2020.
6. "Werkzaamheden nieuwe Highway vorderen". De Boodschap (Official Press Office of the Government of Suriname) (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 May 2020.
7. "Links of Rechts?". De West via Delpher (in Dutch). 4 January 1910. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
8. "Transport". Ministry of Transport, Communication and Tourism (in Dutch). Retrieved 4 May 2020.
9. "Dr. Jules Sedney Terminal". Havenbeheer (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 May 2021.
10. "DE GESCHIEDENIS VAN MEERZORG, ZOALS BESCHREVEN IN OUDE KRANTENBERICHTEN, DEEL 1 (1915-1940)". Plantage Justlust (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 May 2021.
11. "Suriname Merchant Marine". Index Mundi. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
12. "Suriname Airports with paved runways". Index Mundi. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
13. "Suriname Airports - with unpaved runways". Index Mundi. Retrieved 13 May 2020.

External links

Media related to Transport in Suriname at Wikimedia Commons