Cabinet Shares Plans to Transition into 24-hour Operations

As the Port continues to produce record numbers having generated over EC $62 million in revenue last year, Cabinet is taking the necessary steps to ensure that these upward trends continue.

It is the goal of the Port Manager Darwin Telemaque and the Cabinet to grow the role of the port as the region’s transhipment hub.

A Strategic Operational Model will be implemented to transition operational hours to 24 hours with three 8-hour shifts, enhanced vessel accommodation and boarders improvements in efficiency and revenue generation.

Director General in the Prime Minister’s Office Maurice Merchant spoke briefly on this new development.

“In fact, there may be the need to employ additional individuals to ensure the 24-7 port operations. It is due to be implemented on a phased basis, of course, but it presents great prospects for the Port Authority. There will be ongoing training of individuals to ensure that at some point in time that they’ll be able to achieve the 24-7 operations at the port,” Merchant said.

Cabinet is expected to meet with the relevant unions on this matter.

Several other initiatives will also be established to enhance operations.

Within the next two weeks, an Inland Revenue Department office will be established at the port to facilitate direct payment processing.

“Now in the past, for some transactions, persons would have to go to the Port, do the paperwork and then go to the Inland Revenue Department located stones throw from us here on Friars Hill Road to pay their fees but now the Port and the government is trying to create a one-stop shop situation whereby persons doing business with the Port will be able to make their payments right there at the Port.

“So Inland Revenue will establish an officethere to receive payment within 14 days,” Merchant explained.

The port will also begin phasing in ship and shore operations under the direct control of the Port Authority.

Training programmes for members of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force in all aspects of port operations will also commence, especially to support expanded transshipment activity.

The Port Manager is expected to report back to Cabinet within 30 days on the progress of implementing these decisions.

Telemaque further updated Cabinet about the improved operations at Deep Water Harbour.

He mentioned that there has been an increase in cargo throughput, with the exception of a temporary decline during the COVID-19 period in 2021.

For the year 2025 to date, the port has already recorded more than 8,700 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units)—a 4% increase over the same period in 2024.

He reported that over the past weekend alone, the port processed a record 375 containers—including 109 transhipped containers—in just two days (Saturday and Sunday).

This operational milestone is credited to the significant investments by the Gaston Browne administration in the modernization and expansion of both the commercial port and the cruise port infrastructure.