Unscheduled Cruise Ship Call Extended
Basseterre, St. Kitts - March 3, 2008- Service providers in the tourism industry benefited from an unscheduled cruise ship call when the Vistamar docked at the Port Zante Pier on Friday, February 29.
Wind speeds of 25 knots gusting at 30 knots prevented the 11:30 p.m. unberthing of the ship, extending its stay in St. Kitts until Saturday afternoon. Passengers came ashore a second time, providing taxi drivers and other business operators with another opportunity to sell their services and products.
The St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority acknowledges that tugs are of assistance to smaller, less powerful vessels like the Vistamar . That is the reason tug services were available from the start of the present cruise season in October until December 2007 through an arrangement with SOMARA in Martinique.
To meet the cost of these services, SCASPA was forced to propose increased charges. These new rates were not accepted by the shipping agents who were unwilling to pass on the charges to cruise lines at short notice.
Even though SCASPA maintains the position that it cannot subsidise the full cost in order to maintain current charges to clients, it continues to evaluate the situation to ensure safety, and optmise benefits to stakeholders. By the end of April, the Ports Authority expects to offer regular, full-time tug services once more at market cost.
Unlike most other Caribbean destinations, St. Kitts will receive an increase in passengers this season, one that almost doubles last season’s number. Our country depends on tourism, and great efforts have been made and money invested to grow this industry.
The current situation provides an ideal opportunity for all stakeholders in the cruise industry to collaborate. SCASPA re-echoes its commitment to working with stakeholders to sustain this important industry, and will again initiate steps to ensure that the necessary dialogue and action take place.
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