The Guyana Defence Force Ship (GDFS) SHAHOUD has returned home following a successful seven-day Port Call to the naval base at Dégrad des Cannes, French Guiana , marking the first-ever visit by a Guyanese naval vessel to the territory and a historic milestone in regional military cooperation and maritime diplomacy.
Before the vessel’s departure, Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard, Commander David Shamsudeen, commended the crew for their professionalism and sense of duty. He reminded them of the mission’s strategic importance in fostering regional collaboration to confront common maritime challenges such as illegal fishing and transnational organised crime. His remarks underscored the deployment’s value as a step toward deeper operational cooperation between the Guyana Defence Force and the French Navy.
During the visit, the SHAHOUD’s crew participated in joint exercises and knowledge-sharing engagements aimed at strengthening interoperability and enhancing maritime coordination. A formal reception was also hosted on board the vessel and attended by representatives of the French Prefect, the Commander of the Joint Forces of French Guiana, Major General Gérard Laborie, officers of the French Armed Forces, members of French naval units, and other invited guests.
In his address at the event, Commanding Officer of the vessel, Lieutenant Commander Ronald Mc Intyre, delivered remarks on behalf of the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Defence Force. He described the occasion as both an honour and a privilege, symbolizing not only friendship but also a growing partnership grounded in mutual respect and shared purpose. Lt Cdr Mc Intyre observed that “the Atlantic that separates Guyana and French Guiana is not a divide, but a shared space, a bridge of cooperation and opportunity.”
The visit represented a tangible outcome of the Third Strategic Dialogue of the Guiana Shield, held in Guyana in April 2024, which reaffirmed the shared vision of greater defence and security cooperation among partner nations.
The SHAHOUD’s successful completion of this historic port call stands as a testament to the Guyana Defence Force’s expanding maritime capability and its continued commitment to strengthening regional partnerships, promoting security cooperation, and safeguarding the region’s maritime domain.
