Suriname has no active rail network, with only historical narrow-gauge lines that served mining operations now defunct. Transportation infrastructure focuses on road networks, river transport, and air services.
Historical Railway
Former Mining Railways
| Parameter |
Statistics |
Notes |
| Track Length |
86 km |
Defunct |
| Period |
1903-1986 |
Mining operations |
| Gauge |
1,000 mm |
Narrow gauge |
| Purpose |
Bauxite transport |
Lardner’s Point-Onverdacht |
Current Transport Infrastructure
| Parameter |
Statistics |
Notes |
| Total Road Length |
4,304 km |
All categories |
| Paved Roads |
1,130 km |
26% of network |
| East-West Connection |
380 km |
Main corridor |
| Rural Roads |
2,794 km |
Variable condition |
Maritime Infrastructure
Major Ports
| Facility |
Location |
Type |
Usage |
| Paramaribo Port |
Paramaribo |
Multi-purpose |
Main gateway |
| Nieuwe Haven |
Paramaribo |
Container/General |
Commercial |
| Moengo |
Marowijne |
Bulk |
Mining/Limited |
| Nickerie |
Nickerie |
Agricultural |
Seasonal |
River Transport
| Waterway |
Length (km) |
Type |
Status |
| Suriname River |
480 |
Commercial |
Active |
| Corantijn River |
380 |
Mixed |
Limited |
| Commewijne River |
110 |
Local |
Active |
Air Transport
Airports
| Facility |
Location |
Type |
Runway Length |
| Johan Adolf Pengel |
Paramaribo |
International |
3,300m |
| Zorg en Hoop |
Paramaribo |
Regional |
750m |
| Nickerie |
Nickerie |
Regional |
1,400m |
Development Projects
Current Projects (2025-2026)
| Project |
Budget (USD M) |
Status |
Completion |
| Road Rehabilitation |
45 |
Ongoing |
2026 |
| Port Modernization |
65 |
Active |
2026 |
| Airport Upgrade |
35 |
Planning |
2026 |
Future Plans
| Initiative |
Estimated Cost (USD M) |
Status |
Timeline |
| Transport Integration |
25 |
Proposed |
2027 |
| River Navigation |
40 |
Planning |
2027-2028 |
| Rural Connectivity |
30 |
Concept |
2028 |
Environmental Considerations
Climate Adaptation
| Challenge |
Impact |
Mitigation Strategy |
| Flooding |
Critical |
Infrastructure elevation |
| Heavy Rainfall |
High |
Drainage systems |
| Coastal Erosion |
High |
Protection measures |
| River Conditions |
High |
Navigation improvements |
Economic Impact
Transport Sector
| Area |
Direct Jobs |
Annual Value (USD M) |
| Maritime/River |
1,200 |
45 |
| Aviation |
800 |
35 |
| Road Transport |
2,000 |
55 |
Development Priorities
Short Term (2025-2026)
| Priority |
Scope |
Investment Need |
| Port Efficiency |
Infrastructure |
High |
| Road Safety |
Operations |
High |
| Air Connectivity |
Essential |
Medium |
Long Term Vision
| Goal |
Approach |
Timeline |
| Regional Integration |
Corridor development |
2030 |
| River Transport |
System enhancement |
2028 |
| Rural Access |
Infrastructure improvement |
2027 |
Challenges & Solutions
Key Issues
| Challenge |
Impact |
Solution Strategy |
| Infrastructure Age |
High |
Phased renewal |
| Climate Vulnerability |
Critical |
Resilient design |
| Funding |
High |
International partnerships |
| Maintenance |
High |
Sustainable systems |
International Support
Development Partners
| Partner |
Focus Area |
Support Type |
| IDB |
Infrastructure |
Financial/Technical |
| Netherlands |
Maritime |
Technical Assistance |
| China |
Port Development |
Investment |
| Caribbean Dev Bank |
Transport |
Loans/Grants |
