PM Browne proposes further developments of St. John’s Harbour

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has shared his vision to expand St. John’s Harbour to accommodate more cruise ships and luxury yachts.

This vision has been shaped by the increase in the number of cruise ship calls and passengers they bring to the country.

On the Browne and Browne show, PM Browne emphasized the need to dredge the ‘inner’ harbour to the north of Rat Island, going towards Fort James, to create additional berths for both cruise ships and mega yachts.

“We need to further expand our cruise infrastructure and I propose that we dredge and build out additional facilities in the inner harbour, from Dredge Bay to Fort James”, he said

He said, “We should dredge that area, using the dredged materials to create more lands to expand the Deep Water Harbour, because at some point we will need LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) facilities to service the ships that LNG powers (we have to think ahead; we have to think about the future).”

According to Browne, he has already taken steps to address the matter by contacting the principals of Blue Ocean, the dredging company.

“I took the opportunity to invite in Percy Rhoden and Colly Browne, who are the majority owners, and who are the sole owners of Meridian, which constructed the Fifth Pier at the Point Wharf. I shared my vision with them where we can construct additional facilities to accommodate not only cruise ships, but mega yachts as well. My vision also includes building additional land-based facilities and amenities such as shops,” he further explained.

The prime minister has expressed his vision for the future, stating that in five years’ time, the harbour will be capable of accommodating two additional cruise ships. He further noted that the necessary dredging of the channel has already been completed, with only the turning basis and the berthing areas requiring further dredging to ensure smooth operations.

“We spent an enormous amount of money to dredge the channels down to a depth of 36-40 feet and in fact, they are still out there dredging. Therefore, the entrance would not be a problem as all they would have to do are the areas unto the pier, which should not take too much resources. These berths would not necessarily be for the larger ships, but those that are smaller and which can be accommodated,” he stated.

Browne recently made a statement regarding the country’s development plans for its ports.

He expressed his belief that the proposed developments would make Antigua and Barbuda the most desirable destination for cruise ships and yachts in the entire Caribbean region.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister revealed that the Blue Ocean dredging company, in which the Antigua and Barbuda government holds a 40 percent stake, was “very excited” about the new proposals.

He suggested that during periods of low commercial activity, the company could utilize its equipment for additional dredging of the St. John’s Harbour instead of leaving it idle.

This would help to ensure that the harbor remains in top condition and attractive to potential visitors.