Studies Advance for Proposed Barbuda River Port Relocation

The proposed relocation of the Barbuda River Port has moved forward with the completion of a coastal study, while further assessments continue to determine the project’s design and environmental impacts.

The Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority said the proposed location is a six-acre site on Barbuda’s South Coast, east of the River Dock Peninsula.

A coastal study by Smith Warner International identified natural water depths of three to five metres, indicating that the location could accommodate cargo vessels with less dredging.

The company is also conducting a feasibility assessment, which is expected to be completed within two weeks, according to the authority’s September 30 update.

A topographical and boundary survey has already been completed, identifying the six-acre site. A drone survey using LiDAR technology will follow to provide more detailed land measurements.

Contractor Beston is in Barbuda to undertake two weeks of geotechnical fieldwork to assess ground conditions. Results are expected in approximately six weeks and will guide the detailed port design.

A hydrological assessment examining water conditions at the site is scheduled to begin this week and take about two weeks.

Meanwhile, Environment Tourism Consultancy has completed approximately 70 per cent of the Environmental Impact Assessment. The remaining work depends on data from the hydrological assessment and surveys.

Once the environmental assessment is complete, the Port Authority plans to hold a town hall meeting in Barbuda to present the findings and receive residents’ feedback.

Port Manager Darwin Telemaque described the completed coastal study as progress in assessing the proposed location and confirmed that the findings would be presented to Barbudans before construction begins.

Detailed design is expected to start after the geotechnical results are received. The authority is targeting December 2026 to January 2027 for construction mobilization, including site preparation and equipment delivery, with construction to follow.